US EPA

1224928 

Journal Article 

An Advanced Technology for Producing Syngas by Oxidation of Oxygen in Light Hydrocarbon in Place of External Combustion Steam Conversion Method 

Li, Q; Du, S; Liao, Z; Zhou, S; Shen, T 

2010 

1 

Zhongwai Nengyuan
ISSN: 1673-579X 

Zhongwai Nengyuan Bianjibu, A88 Anwai St. Dongcheng District, Beijing 100011 People's People's Republic of China 

15 

9 (Sep 2010) 

76-83 

China has rich light hydrocarbon resources. Light hydrocarbon is the main feedstock for producing ammonia, urea and methanol. China currently produces nearly 3000 x 10(4)t of synthetic ammonia and methanol annually, consuming about 300 x l0(8)m(3) (CH(4) equivalent)of light hydrocarbon per year. Most synthetic ammonia and methanol producers use external combustion steam conversion method. Around 100 x 10(8)m(3) of light hydrocarbon is burnt as fuel per year and the amount of CO(2) emitted from light hydrocarbon burning is 2000 x 10(4)t/a. If using pure-oxygen autothermal reforming (ATR) technology developed domestically to replace external combustion steam conversion method, 2m(3) of O(2) can replace 1m(3) of CH(4) as fuel and can reduce the emission of CO(2) by 2kg per 1 m(3) of CH(4). Light hydrocarbon saved can be used as feedstock, which can raise product production by 30%. Compared with the external combustion steam conversion method, this new technology reduces feedstock consumption by 20%-30%, raises methanol production by 20%-100% and cuts emission of CO(2) by 20%-80%. Other benefits of this technology include the small size and low cost of reforming furnace, the elimination of the need for expensive high temperature-resistant nickel alloy and long service life. Ammonia and methanol plants using light hydrocarbon as feedstock in China have a combined capacity of nearly 3000 x 10(4)t/a. If all of them use this new technology to replace the traditional external combustion steam conversion method, around 100 x 10(8)m(3) of light hydrocarbon can be saved annually. The light hydrocarbon saved can be used to raise the production of ammonia and methanol by 125 x 10(4)t/a and as a result the emission of CO(2) would drop by 2000 x 10(4)T/a. If using the innovative technology for producing ethylene by isopiestic methanol synthesis, which features pure-oxygen natural conversion and zero CO(2) emission, to build a 2 x 50 x 10(4)t/a ethylene and propylene production base in Cangxi in Sichuan province, only 20 x 10(8)m(3) of natural gas would be needed annually.