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

Abstract

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising Hand CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with HO (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 HO is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with COonly) or CO-steam reforming (reaction with both COand 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-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.