Patent ID: 6989135

Claim:
A Fischer-Tropsch-based system for converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons comprising: a gas turbine having a compressor section, combustor, and expander section, and having a compressed air conduit fluidly coupled to the compressor section for receiving compressed air from the compressor section and delivering at least a portion of the compressed air to the combustor; a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion subsystem for converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons; a heat removal subsystem associated with the combustor for thermally coupling the hydrocarbon conversion subsystem to the combustor to deliver thermal energy from the combustor to the hydrocarbon conversion subsystem; a process air conduit fluidly coupled between the compressed air conduit and the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion subsystem, the process air conduit for delivering a portion of the compressed air developed by the compressor section to the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion subsystem; wherein the heat removal subsystem comprises a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the combustor; and further comprising a steam methane reformer thermally coupled to the heat exchanger for using at least a portion of thermal energy from the combustor to prepare a first synthesis gas; and wherein the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon conversion subsystem comprises: a synthesis gas unit for receiving natural gas, an oxygen containing gas, and steam and producing a second synthesis gas, and wherein the synthesis gas unit comprises an autothermal reformer, and a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit fluidly coupled to the synthesis gas unit for receiving the second synthesis gas therefrom and fluidly coupled to the steam methane reformer for receiving the first synthesis gas and producing heavier hydrocarbons.