Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.

Christopher D W Jenkins

James Richardson Lattner

Cor F Van Egmond

Michael Peter Nicoletti

Eric D Nelson

The present invention provides a process for producing synthesis gas blends which are especially suitable for conversion either into oxygenates such as methanol or into Fischer-Tropsch liquids. Such a process involves reforming of two separate gaseous hydrocarbon feedstreams (formed, for example, by dividing a natural gas feedstock) in a steam-reforming unit and an oxygen-blown reforming unit, respectively. The syngas effluent from each reforming unit is then combined, after appropriate pressure adjustments, to realize a synthesis gas blend containing selected amounts and ratios of H, CO and CO. In further invention embodiments, processes are provided for converting the resulting syngas blends into oxygenates or Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons. Further conversion of the oxygenates so produced into light olefins also constitutes part of this invention.

Production of synthesis gas blends for conversion to methanol or Fischer-Tropsch liquids

A method for producing an olefin stream is provided based on conversion of an initial natural gas stream into a synthesis gas. The resulting synthesis gas is enriched with COpreviously separated from the natural gas stream. The synthesis gas is then used to form a methanol composition, which can then be used as feedstock for a methanol-to-olefin conversion reaction.

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South Caulfield, Australia

Christopher D W Jenkins