Simulation Analysis of a GTL Process Using Aspen Plus

Abstract

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) processes are becoming attractive due to the increasing price of crude oil. Process simulation analysis on the integrated GTL process is essential as part of an extended process integration analysis of the research subjects. The two sub-process models for the GTL process, i.e., the syngas generation process and the Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS) process, are analyzed in detail with AS-PEN Plus. The autothermal reforming process (ATR) is analyzed using Aspen Plus based on the Gibbs reactor model, while FTS is simulated with ASPEN Plus based on detailed kinetic models for industrial iron and cobalt catalysts. Integrated GTL processes with iron and cobalt-based catalysts were simulated using ASPEN Plus. The optimal flowsheet structures were selected for each catalyst based on the overall performance in terms of thermal and carbon efficiency and product distributions. For the cobalt-based catalyst, the full conversion concept without CO 2 removal from the FT tail gas is optimal. On the other hand, the once-through concept with two series reactors and CO 2 removal from raw syngas is considered optimal for the iron-based catalyst. The thermal efficiency to crude products is likely to be ca. 60 % for the cobalt-based catalyst, whereas it is in the range of 49-55 % for the iron-based catalyst. The carbon efficiency using the water-gas shift reaction is lower using the iron-based catalyst (61-68 %) than the cobalt-based catalyst (73-75 %). As expected, the cobalt-based catalyst is more active and selective, which offers better selectivity towards C 5 + (75-79 %). The selectivity towards C 5 + for the iron-based catalyst lies in the range 63-75 %.

Simulation, integration, and economic analysis of gas-to-liquid processes

“…Issues with reactor modeling have been addressed by some researchers (e.g., Hao, et al, 2008;Khoshnoodi, 1997;Levenspiel, 2002;Sehabiague, et al, 2008). Using a rigorous calculation of vapor-liquid equilibrium Quasi-steady-state model was proposed to be suitable to the transient simulation considering two chain propagation mechanisms (e.g., Ahon, et al, 2005;Khoshnoodi, 1997;Wang, 2004;Zhang and Zhu, 2000).…”

“…Process simulation analysis has been conducted on the once-through concept and recycle model to investigate the carbon efficiency and the selectivity towards C 5+ . Other simulation comparisons have been tested to evaluate different property method applicable in the process (e.g., Ahon, et al, 2005;Hao, et al, 2008;Soterious and Ignacio, 1983;Wang, 2004;Zhang and Zhu, 2000).…”

Analysis and optimization of two-column cryogenic process for argon recovery from hydrogen-depleted ammonia purge gas

“…In this paper the model of a two-column cryogenic process for argon recovery from hydrogen-depleted ammonia purge gas is firstly set up using ASPEN PLUS, a commercial simulation software widely used in the chemical processes owing to its convenient interfaces and powerful functions (Venkataraman et al, 1990;Ongiro et al, 1996;Yan and Rudolph, 2000;Bao et al, 2002;Smejkal and Soos, 2002;SarvarAmini et al, 2007;Hao et al, 2008;Doherty et al, 2009;Paviet et al, 2009;Ye et al, 2009). For such two-column process model, it is convenient to establish using the standard unit operation blocks (heaters, coolers, heat exchangers, compressors, etc.)…”

A Study on Conceptual Design of Fischer-Tropsch Reactors in GTL Applications

“…In reforming process, natural gas is used as a raw material to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide which results in H 2 /CO mole ratio of 2. This ratio is known as an optimum condition for F-T synthetic process to produce synthetic fuel [8,9].…”