Associated petroleum gas processing into methanol: environmental impacts of flaring and prospects for low-carbon energy: a review
A.M. Kuzmin
Section: Theoretical problems of ecology
This review systematizes data on synthesis gas processing from associated petroleum gas (steam methane reforming, non-catalytic partial oxidation, dry reforming, autothermal reforming). Particular attention is paid to small-scale plants based on non-catalytic partial oxidation using principles of liquid rocket engines, which allow producing syngas at pressures up to 8 MPa. The devices developed by the author (RF patents RU 183401 U1, RU 176510 U1) for syngas generation as well as a three-reactor methanol synthesis cascade are considered. It is shown that optimizing the composition of hydrogen-containing gas to a module M = 2.0–2.3 increases methanol yield by 8–12 %. The economic indicators of small-scale production and the concept of a “methanol economy” with a closed “methanol–hydrogen” cycle are analyzed. An energy integration scheme with a turbogenerator for utilizing waste gas heat, increasing the overall efficiency of the complex to 68 %, is proposed. Key unresolved problems are identified: soot suppression under high-pressure conditions, sulfur-containing impurities effect, compact separation systems development, and the application of artificial intelligence methods for process optimization. The review demonstrates the high potential of small-scale methanol production technologies from associated petroleum gas for solving environmental and resource problems in the oil and gas industry, both in Russia and other countries.
ISSN 1995-4301
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