Tops0e integrated gasoline synthesis - the TIGAS process Topp-J0rgensen

TOPS0E INTEGRATED GASOLINE SYNTHESIS - THE TIGAS PROCESS J. TOPP-J0RGENSEN 

Haldor Topstfe A/S, Nymollevej 55, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark ABSTRACT 

A new low investment process for the conversion of natural gas to gasoline is presented. The process incorporates the MTG process into a combined MeOH and dimethylether synthesis. The conversion of synthesis gas to gasoline is carried out in one single synthesis loop. The process has been demonstrated in a 1 MTPD gasoline process demonstration unit. 

Future synthetic fuel plants are most likely to be built in remote areas where the price of natural gas is very low and not related to the price of gasoline. For plants of this kind a low investment is essential, as the investment related costs will constitute a high proportion of the cost of production due to the low energy price. 

Consequently, further development of the MTG process as it is realised in New Zealand should aim at a reduction of the investment. The TIGAS process represents such an effort. In the TIGAS process the two process steps, MeOH synthesis and the MTG process, are integrated into one single synthesis loop without isolation of MeOH as an intermediate (ref. 1), (Fig. 1). 

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