Transportable gas to liquid plant

Abstract

A transportable GTL processing facility constructed on an inland barge is provided. Also provided is a process for producing liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas utilizing a transportable GTL processing facility. The facility and process may be used to access and convert stranded natural gas in an economical fashion into liquid hydrocarbons. Further provided is a transportable GTL processing facility and process for producing liquid hydrocarbons wherein the liquid hydrocarbons are upgraded into transportation fuels and other locally usable materials.

1 . A transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility comprising: 
 a liquid hydrocarbon synthesis facility comprising: 
 a synthesis gas generator; and  
 a Fischer-Tropsch reactor for receiving and processing a synthesis gas produced by the synthesis gas generator and producing a predominantly liquid hydrocarbon product.  
   wherein the synthesis gas generator and Fischer-Tropsch reactor are constructed on an inland barge.    
   
   
       2 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a ground flare.    
   
   
       3 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  wherein the inland barge comprises two or more decks including a lowermost deck and wherein no hydrocarbon processing equipment is located beneath a lowermost deck.  
   
   
       4 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 2  wherein the ground flare is placed on an auxiliary deck.  
   
   
       5 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 2  wherein the ground flare is located on land accessible to the inland barge by piping.  
   
   
       6 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon synthesis facility further comprises a product upgrading unit  
   
   
       7 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 6  wherein the upgrading unit comprises one or more units selected from the group of hydrocracking unit, hydrotreating unit, and hydrodewaxing unit.  
   
   
       8 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  further comprising a natural gas liquid production unit for extracting propane and higher carbon number hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream before the natural gas is fed into the synthesis gas generator.  
   
   
       9 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  further comprising a natural gas liquid production unit for extracting propane and higher carbon number hydrocarbons from a tail gas stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor.  
   
   
       10 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  wherein the synthesis gas generator is an autothermal reformer.  
   
   
       11 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 1  further comprising an associated utility section.  
   
   
       12 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 11  wherein utility components are located between hydrocarbon vessels and/or process equipment and ignition sources.  
   
   
       13 . The transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility of  claim 10  wherein the autothermal reformer is fed natural gas from a stranded natural gas reserve and air or oxygen-enriched air.  
   
   
       14 . A process for producing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas at or near calm water comprising the steps of: 
 dry hauling a mobile synthetic liquid hydrocarbon production facility to or near the calm water location;    installing the mobile hydrocarbon production facility so that it is not freely floating;    connecting the mobile hydrocarbon production facility to a source of natural gas; and    synthesizing heavier hydrocarbons from the natural gas.    
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14  further comprising the step of transferring the produced heavier hydrocarbon product to an FSO.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the heavier hydrocarbon product is synthetic crude.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 14  further comprising the step of upgrading the heavier hydrocarbon product into a transportation fuel.  
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the FSO is a reconditioned single hull tanker.  
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the heavier hydrocarbon is predominantly a liquid hydrocarbon.  
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the transportable liquid hydrocarbon facility is constructed on an inland barge.  
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the transportable synthetic liquid hydrocarbon facility is dry hauled by use of a lift ship.  
   
   
       22 . The transportable facility of  claim 1  wherein air-derived oxygen is fed to the synthesis gas generator.  
   
   
       23 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the calm water location has wave action of no greater than that of Sea State 0.