Integration of Green Power in a Gas to Liquid Process

Abstract

Abstract The aviation industry requires to reduce its carbon emissions. To do so, the fuel needs to be renewable-based as much as possible and have low life cycle emissions, hence be sustainable. Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) process through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis can be used to make aviation fuel. This process can be made more sustainable by lowering its carbon emissions. The addition of renewable power to the GTL process is investigated with the aim of reducing its CO2 emissions. Two promising designs are considered which have very low CO2 emissions: 1- Using Autothermal Reformer (ATR) to produce syngas and Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) to produce H2 and O2; and 2- Production of syngas through electrically heated Steam Methane Reformer (E-SMR). In both designs, the addition of renewable power significantly reduces carbon emissions and increases carbon efficiency which means increased production for the same amount of natural gas feed. By assessing the two designs based on FT production, carbon efficiency, and FT catalyst volume, it is a better choice to add renewable power to the SOEC (case1) rather than using it in an E-SMR (case2). These designs are considered in order to help us safely transit to a low-carbon society.