Catalytic Synthesis of Fuels and Chemicals

There are multiple synthesis facilities available at Thermosolv. These vary in size from lab-scale catalyst test reactors up to a full pilot-scale synthesis plant. The facilities have been use to test various synthesis methods, including Fischer-Tropsch liquids, mixed alcohol, dimethyl ether, methanol, methanol to gasoline, and methanol to olefins. These flexible facilities are also capable of integrating new reactor types for development and testing. Thermosolv staff have more than 20 years of experience in catalyst development and fuel and chemical synthesis.

The synthesis facilities are all well-instrumented with sensors to monitor flow, level, temperature, and pressure to determine the mass and energy balance of the processes. Data acquisition system are available on all facilities for further analysis of process conditions. Hot and cold liquid product collection systems are in place on all reactors. Gas chromatograph (GC) and mass spectrometer (MS) instruments are available on site to analyze the liquid products. GCs are also available for online analysis of gaseous product, feed, and waste streams.

Thermosolv’s lab scale fixed-bed reactor is capable of handling up to 50 ml/50 g catalyst for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 1.5 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,700 psig.

Thermosolv’s lab scale slurry reactor is capable of handling up to 600 ml of slurry for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 1.5 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,700 psig.

Thermosolv’s bench scale compact heat exchange reactor (CHER) is capable of handling up to 66 ml/100 g of catalyst for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 15 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,700 psig.

Thermosolv’s pilot scale fixed-bed reactor is capable of handling up to 1 kg of catalyst for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 300 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,500 psig.

Thermosolv’s pilot scale slurry reactor is capable of handling up to 100 liter slurry for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 300 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,500 psig.

Thermosolv’s pilot scale compact heat exchange reactor (CHER) is capable of handling up to 2 kg of catalyst for various synthesis process. Maximum synthesis gas flow is 300 SLPM with maximum working temperature of 650 °F and maximum working pressure of 1,500 psig.

Technical Specifications

50ml/50g

catalyst

600ml

slurry

66ml/100g

catalyst

1 kg

catalyst

100 liter

slurry

2 kg

catalyst

1.5

300

650

1,700

1,500

10:1

20:1

Online SRI 8610 GCs

Hot and cold product collection systems

On site Agilent GC-MS

Lab/Bench

Fixed-bed

Slurry

CHER

Fixed-bed

Slurry

CHER

Pilot

Scale

Reactor Type

Maximum Capacity

Maximum Fresh Synthesis Gas Flow

[SLPM]

Maximum Working Temperature [°F]

Maximum Working Pressure [psig]

Maximum

Recycle Ratio

Gas Sampling

and Analysis

Liquid Sampling

and Analysis

Catalyst Development

Thermosolv staff continue their research in catalyst development for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis method. The catalyst is based on molybdenum carbide primarily with various co-catalyst in the structure.

This research effort has been awarded a US Patent in 2015: US Patent 8,969,236 B2

Click here to download Thermosolv synthesis facilities description

Contact Information

For further information, contact us at:

Thermosolv, LLC

3474 N 3rd St

Laramie, WY 82072

(307) 721-2354