The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 12, 2006
Werner Siegfried Ernst, Secunda, ZA;
Jacobus Francois Van Tonder, Secunda, ZA;
Werner Siegfried Ernst, Secunda, ZA;
Jacobus Francois Van Tonder, Secunda, ZA;
Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited, Johannesburg, ZA;
Abstract
A process for producing hydrocarbons from natural gas includes, in a cryogenic separation stage, cryogenically separating the natural gas to produce at least a methane stream and natural gas liquids, in a reforming stage, reforming the methane stream to produce a synthesis gas which includes at least CO and H, and in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage, converting at least some of the CO and Hinto a Fischer-Tropsch product which includes hydrocarbons. A Fischer-Tropsch tail gas which includes at least CO and H, methane and heavier than methane hydrocarbons, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product in a Fischer-Tropsch product separation stage. At least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is recycled to the cryogenic separation stage, where the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is cryogenically separated into two or more streams.