SIMULATION AND INTEGRATION ANALYSIS OF GAS-TOLIQUID PROCESS

Abstract

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) is one of the new processes that are becoming increasingly important in petroleum industry. Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) is a chemical conversion process of natural gas or any other hydrocarbons into synthetic crude which further can be uprated and separated into long chain hydrocarbons such as gasoline or diesel fuel. A non-catalytic process, Fischer-Tropsch , is used for the purpose. The objective of this thesis is to provide technical analysis of Gas-to-Liquid process and also to integrate and optimize the usage of energy ultimately providing reduction in overall cost of the process. The process was carried out in the following order: a) A basic flowchart was prepared to perform the task analysis. The key processing steps of the plant were generated. b) Then a simulation was carried out to determine the equipment specifications using a computer software ASPEN PLUS. c) Heat integration was done using Pinch Analysis process determining the hot and cold utilities and hence recovering and converting the heat energy to work to run a steam turbine.