Predicting the Performance of System for the Co-production of Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Liquid and Power from Coal

A co-production system based on Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis reactor and gas turbine was simulated and analyzed. Syngas from entrained bed coal gasification was used as feedstock of the low-temperature slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Raw synthetic liquid produced was fractioned and upgraded to diesel, gasoline, and liquid petrol gas (LPG). Tail gas composed of unconverted syngas and FT light components was fed to the gas turbine. Supplemental fuel (NG, or refinery mine gas) might be necessary, which was dependent on gas turbine capacity, expander through flow capacity, etc. FT yield information was important to the simulation of this co-production system. A correlation model based on Mobil’s two step pilot plant was applied. This model proposed triple chain-length-dependent chain growth factors and set up correlations among reaction temperatures with wax yield, methane yield, and $C2–C22$ paraffin and olefin yields. Oxygenates in the hydrocarbon, water, and vapor phases were also correlated with methane yield. It was suitable for syngas, iron catalyst, and slurry bed. We can show the effect of temperature on the products’ selectivity and distribution. User models that can predict product yields and cooperate with other units were embedded into Aspen plus simulation. Performance prediction of syngas fired gas turbine was the other key of this system. The increase in mass flow through the turbine affects the match between compressor and turbine operating conditions. The calculation was carried out by GS software developed by Politecnico Di Milano and Princeton University. The simulated performance assumed that the expander operates under choked conditions and turbine inlet temperature equals the NG fired gas turbine. A “F” technology gas turbine was selected to generate power. Various cases were investigated to match the FT synthesis island, power island, and gasification island in co-production systems. Effects of $CO2$ removal/LPG recovery, co-firing, and $CH4$ content variation were studied. Simulation results indicated that more than 50% of input energy was converted to electricity and FT products. Total yield of gasoline, diesel, and LPG was $136–155g∕Nm3(CO+H2)$⁠. At coal feed of $21.9kg∕s$⁠, net electricity exported to the grid was higher than $100MW$⁠. Total production of diesel and gasoline (and LPG) was $118,000t$$(134,000t)∕year$⁠. Under the economic analysis conditions assumed in this paper, the co-production system was economically feasible. The after tax profits can research 17 million euro. Payback times ranged from 6 to 7 years.