PREPARATION OF NORMALLY LIQUID HYDROCARBONS AND A SYNTHESIS GAS TO MAKE THE SAME, FROM A NORMALLY GASEOUS HYDROCARBON FEED

摘要

A process for preparing a hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing synthesis gas for hydrocarbon synthesis includes autothermally reforming a natural gas (CH4) feed with oxygen, steam and recycled carbon dioxide and, optionally, recycled hydrocarbon by-products from the hydrocarbon synthesis step. The reforming is carried out in an autothermal reformer comprising a first monolithic catalyst zone utilizing a palladium and platinum containing catalyst followed by a second platinum group metal steam reforming zone. The product of the autothermal reformer comprises hydrogen, carbon oxides and water. Carbon dioxide and water are removed from the reformer effluent and recycled to the reformer. The resulting synthesis gas comprises hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a selected ratio for passage to,e.g., a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. Light and heavy hydrocarbon by-products of the Fischer-Tropsch process may be recycled to the autothermal reformer.