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Aker Solutions has been involved in the design and engineering of synthesis gas facilities for nearly a century. Synthesis gas generally refers to a mixture of hydrogen and carbon oxides which can be generated by a variety of processes and feedstocks. It may require the indicated compositional adjustment and treatment before use in the following major applications.
- Directly used for methanol synthesis. The dried syngas can be used without further adjustment since there is a net conversion of both CO and CO2 to methanol.
- Ammonia synthesis gas, requiring maximum hydrogen production and removal of oxygen-bearing compounds.
- Oxo synthesis gas, requiring composition adjustment and CO2 removal to give a 1:1 H2:CO synthesis gas.
- Industrial gases, as a source of high purity CO, CO2 or H2,
- Reducing gas, a mixture of CO and H2 requiring CO2 removal before being used to reduce oxides in ores to base metals.
- Fuels either as a substitute fuel gas from a liquid or solid feedstock, or as an intermediate for Fischer-Tropsch or zeolite-based alternative liquid fuel technologies.
In the course of designing synthesis gas plants for these applications, we have learned the fundamental operating and design principles of a wide range of gas treatment operations, including solvent absorption/stripping units, solid adsorbents for both pressure and thermal swing systems, membrane separation, molecular sieves, and cryogenic processing units. Additional chemical processing steps may include water gas shift conversion, methanation, and secondary reforming with air or oxygen.
Synthesis gas was initially based on gasification of solid feedstocks, such as coal or coke, but the more modern use of gas and liquid feedstocks has led to the two major processes for synthesis gas generation:Steam reforming and Partial oxidation. |
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