Patent ID: 6130259
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: C01B,C10G,F23C,F23R,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for converting a lighter hydrocarbon gas to heavier hydrocarbons comprising:a) reacting an air feed and a lighter hydrocarbon feed gas in a first reactor to produce a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide;b) feeding said synthesis gas to a second reactor containing a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and reacting said synthesis gas in the presence of said hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst to produce heavier hydrocarbons, a dilute tail gas and water, wherein said dilute tail gas contains at least about 80 mole percent inert non-combustible components;c) feeding said dilute tail gas to a combustor and combusting said dilute tail gas in said combustor to produce a combustion gas;d) driving a power turbine with said combustion gas; ande) driving an air compressor with said power turbine to compress said air feed to said first reactor.