Proceedings of the Second International Energy 2030 Conference,
November 4-5, 2008, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Fischer Tropsch Gas To Liquid Technology (GTL)

A. Nafees
The Petroleum Institute, UAE

S. H. Al Hashimi
The Petroleum Institute, UAE

Abstract
Conversion of natural gas to hydrocarbons (gas-to-liquid technology) is currently one of the most promising topics in the energy industry due to economic utilization of remote and stranded natural gas to environmentally clean fuels, specialty chemicals and waxes. More than one third of the global natural gas reserves are classified as stranded. Alternatively, coal or heavy residues can be used on sites where these are available at low costs. Fischer Tropsch gas to liquid technology has proven ability to convert low cost gases to high value hydrocarbon products. The process is carried out in two steps. Firstly, natural gas or coal is converted into synthesis gas, a mixture of predominantly CO and H₂, by either partial oxidation or steam reforming processes. The synthesis gas is then converted catalytically to hydrocarbons by Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The product stream of the FTS typically consists of a wide range of alkenes, alkanes, oxygenated compounds, viz. aldehydes, alcohols, ketones and acids (e.g., gasoline, diesel, oxygenates and wax). Despite advancement over the years in reactor and catalyst design, and process developments, the competitiveness of the Fischer Tropsch GTL technology is limited primarily due higher capital cost, and operational and maintenance costs than other commercial technologies. The objective of this poster is to highlight the features of the Fischer Tropsch GTL technology.