Short Description
The FT laboratory plant is a plant for the synthesis of 2nd generation biofuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry from biomass-based synthesis gas by using a catalyst and process conditions (temperature, pressure) in the range of low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The plant represents a scale-up of the FT laboratory plant and has a production capacity of one barrel (159 liters) per day. The gas components hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) form CH2 monomers on the surface of the catalyst (mainly cobalt-based catalysts), which form a wide range of hydrocarbon polymers via further reaction steps, from C1 (methane) to more than C60.
The plant consists of the gas purification/gas conditioning, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor (slurry bubble column reactor - SBCR) and product separation/fractionation sections. Impurities (aromatic hydrocarbons) and possible catalyst poisons (sulphur, NH3) are separated in the gas purification section. Liquid scrubbing media (absorbents such as rapeseed methyl ester) and fixed-bed reactors with adsorbents such as activated carbon or (metal) catalysts (zinc and copper-based) are used. After the gas has been purified, it is conditioned to the desired reaction pressure (compression by reciprocating compressor) and the desired reaction temperature (preheating). The synthesis gas is then converted into hydrocarbon chains in the SBCR with the aid of the catalyst. In the reactor, the catalyst used is suspended in wax and is kept in circulation by the synthesis gas flowing in from below. The good flow conditions in the reactor ensure both a good conversion of the gas components hydrogen and carbon monoxide to hydrocarbon chains and sufficient dissipation of the reaction heat (highly exothermic reaction). After the synthesis reactor, the products are separated from the synthesis gas by means of fractional separation.
The test facility is equipped with a large number of measuring points to record the gas composition, gas impurities, product composition and possible process toxins both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Contact Person
Gerald Weber
Research Services
Production of 2nd generation biofuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, testing of various adsorption and absorption materials, testing of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
Production of 2nd generation biofuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, testing of various adsorption and absorption materials, testing of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, monitoring by in-house test laboratory for gas measurements and hydrocarbon/sulphur analysis