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Ortiz-Toral, Pedro

Publications and source records attributed to Ortiz-Toral, Pedro.

Processes and systems for reforming of methane and light hydrocarbons to liquid hydrocarbon fuels

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H 2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO 2 . At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H 2 O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (ΔH) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H 2 O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO 2 only) or CO 2 -steam reforming (reaction with both CO 2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO 2 -steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

Marker, Terry↗

Processes and catalysts for reforming of impure methane-containing feeds

Processes and catalysts for producing hydrogen by reforming methane are disclosed, which afford considerable flexibility in terms of the quality of the reformer feed. This can be attributed to the robustness of the noble metal-containing catalysts described herein for use in reforming, such that a number of components commonly present in methane-containing process streams can advantageously be maintained without conventional upgrading (pretreating) steps, thereby improving process economics. This also allows for the reforming of impure reformer feeds, even in relatively small quantities, which may be characterized as complex gas mixtures due to significant quantities of non-methane components. A representative reforming catalyst comprises 1 wt-% Pt and 1 wt-% Rh as noble metals, on a cerium oxide support.

Marker, Terry L.↗

Noble metal catalysts and processes for reforming of methane and other hydrocarbons

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H 2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO 2 . At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H 2 O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (ΔH) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H2O is present. Catalysts for such processes advantageously possess high activity and thereby can achieve significant levels of methane conversion at temperatures below those used conventionally under comparable conditions. These catalysts also exhibit high sulfur tolerance, in addition to reduced rates of carbon (coke) formation, even in the processing (reforming) of heavier (e.g., naphtha boiling-range or jet fuel boiling-range) hydrocarbons. The robustness of the catalyst translates to high operating stability. A representative catalyst comprises 1 wt-% Pt and 1 wt-% Rh as noble metals, on a cerium oxide support.

Marker, Terry L.↗

Production of liquids and reduced sulfur gaseous products from sour natural gas

Aspects of the invention are associated with the discovery of approaches for the conversion of sour natural gas streams, by conversion to liquid hydrocarbons. Particular processes and their associated apparatuses advantageously combine (i) dehydroaromatization (DHA) of methane in a gaseous feedstock, to produce aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, with (ii) the reaction of H2S and methane in this feedstock, to produce organic sulfur compounds such as carbon disulfide (CS2) and thiophene (C4H4S). A gaseous product having a reduced concentration of H2S is thereby generated. The aromatic hydrocarbons and organic sulfur compounds may be recovered in a liquid product. Both the gaseous and liquid products may be easily amenable to further upgrading. Other advantages of the disclosed processes and apparatuses reside in their simplicity, whereby the associated streams, including a potential gaseous recycle, generally avoid high partial pressures of H2S.

03 NATURAL GAS↗