Process intensification in the production of liquid fuels from syngas

In this project, two processes have been combined that, operated consecutively, would provide liquid fuels, such as gasoline, from synthesis gas. These processes are the synthesis of methanol and the transformation of methanol to gasoline. In the first process, the use of a membrane reactor has been proposed, in particular, using zeolite membranes, to achieve improved yield. For the second process, which is called MTG (methanol-to-gasoline), the use of a two-zone fluidized bed reactor has been studied. In the upper region of the bed, the desired reaction is carried out, which is accompanied by deactivation by coke formation. In the lower part of the bed, and by means of an oxidizing current, the regeneration of the catalyst is carried out. It has been verified that in this way it is possible to operate in steady state, counteracting the deactivation of the catalyst by coke through in-situ regeneration in the reactor itself.

Project: CTQ2016-76533-R.