Topsoe TIGAS process

The considerations for methanol production are valid also for manufacture of synfuels. The manufacture of synthetic gasoline by the Mobil MTG (Yurchak, 1988) or Topsoe TIGAS process (Topp-Joergensen, 1988) proceeds via methanol or dimethylether as intermediate. Diesel can be manufactured by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis followed by hydrocracking of the wax product (v.d. Burgt et al., 1988). Slurry b Fischer-Tropsch processes for diesel may operate at a Hj/CO ratio slightly lower than for methanol synthesis (Dry, 1988). 

Figure 15 shows simplified flow schemes of the two alternatives. The indirect route to methanol is based on steam reforming followed by methanol synthesis. The process consumes ca. 7 Gcal/t corresponding to a thermal efficiency of 68%. The synthesis gas route may also lead to gasoline by further conversion of methanol via the Mobil MTG-process (Yurchak, 1988) or by the Topsoe TIGAS process (Topp-Joergensen, 1988). 

Two major versions of the MTG process currently exist. The first, as exemplified by the New Zealand GTG configuration, is a fixed-bed process the second is a fluidized-bed process. A third process concept, the Topsoe TIGAS [40], integrates methanol synthesis with MTG. This variation uses a multifunctional catalyst for producing a mixed oxygenate feed (including methanol) from synthesis gas and was tested... 

TIGAS [Topsoe integrated gasoline synthesis] A multi-stage process for converting natural gas to gasoline. Developed by Haldor Topsoe and piloted in Houston from 1984 to 1987. Not commercialized, but used in 1995 as the basis for a process for making dimethyl ether for use as a diesel fuel. 

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