The Role of GTL Technology as an Option to Exploit Natural Gas Resources

Large amounts of global sources of remote natural reserves gas are identified along with the main objective to allow energy contained in to be moved economically to the market. The current options that are adopted to export natural gas are basically two:1. To liquefy the gas and ship it as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). 2. To convert it to bulk petrochemicals in particular methanol or ammonia and other down-stream products. The last approach represents relatively small usage of the gas with limited markets. Chemical conversion before transportation of natural gas to liquid (GTL), using Fisher-Tropsch process offers an attractive alternative to unlock remote sources of natural gas. It is reported to be most promising on the basis of its current level of development and its potential future improvements. The two main components of Fisher-Tropsch process are carefully examined: synthesis gas generation and its subsequent conversion to clean petroleum fuel. Different methods of producing synthesis gas are described. These include: steam reforming, non catalytic partial oxidation (NCPO), auto thermal reforming (ATR) and combined reforming. Chemical reactions underlying the Fisher-Tropsch process are presented with trends of developments in the GTL technology. Commercial applications of GTL technology worldwide are cited, especially in some Arab countries. The positive impact of GTL on the environment is emphasized because of two reasons: 1 the clean-burning properties of the produced diesel fuels, 2 converting natural gas to liquid allows oil producers to utilize the natural gas that would otherwise be flared and pollute the atmosphere.