Method and device for producing synthetic hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method producing synthetic hydrocarbons includes producing synthesis gas. An initial step, carbon or a mixture of carbon and hydrogen is brought into contact with water at a temperature of 800-1700° C. The synthesis gas is converted into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons by means of a Fischer Tropsch process wherein it is brought into contact with a suitable catalyst, and wherein water in which a portion of the synthetic hydrocarbons is dissolved results as a by-product. At least a portion of the water that is produced as a by-product is supplied to the initial step. The hydrocarbons that are dissolved in the water decompose into particle-like carbon and hydrogen at the high temperature. The carbon is converted into CO in the presence of water and at a high temperature and forms a portion of the synthesis gas that is produced. In this way, a costly process for cleaning half of the water that is produced as a by-product is avoided.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for producing synthetic hydrocarbons which comprises the following steps:
 a) producing synthesis gas by bringing carbon or a mixture of carbon and hydrogen into contact with water at a temperature of 800-1700° C.;   b) converting the synthesis gas into synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons by means of a Fischer Tropsch process by bringing the synthesis gas into contact with a suitable catalyst, wherein water results as a by-product in which a portion of the synthetic hydrocarbons is dissolved; and   c) supplying at least a portion of the water that was produced as a by-product to the step a);   wherein a portion of the water that is produced as a by-product is vaporised at a temperature above the decomposing temperature of the synthetic hydrocarbons dissolved in the water; and   wherein the vapour is used for propelling a steam turbine ( 43 ).   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the temperature of the water, when being supplied to the step a), is controlled or regulated to at least a decomposing temperature at which the synthetic hydrocarbons dissolved therein are decomposed into carbon and hydrogen. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the carbon is present as C-particles which are mixed with hydrogen to form an aerosol. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the carbon, before the step of bringing it into contact with water in the step a), is produced by decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid by supplying energy in the absence of oxygen. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of decomposing the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is carried out in a hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) which is at least partly cooled by the water that was produced as a by-product. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus ( 1 ) for producing synthetic hydrocarbons which comprises the following:
 a hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) for decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing fluid to form an H 2 /C-aerosol which comprises at least one process chamber having at least one hydrocarbon inlet ( 21 ) for a hydrocarbon-containing fluid end at least one C-outlet ( 23 ) for C-particles or a H 2 /C-aerosol and at least one unit ( 29 ) for introducing energy into the process chamber wherein the energy consists at least partly of heat;   a C-converter ( 5 ) for converting carbon or hydrocarbon and water into a synthesis gas which comprises a process chamber having an inlet ( 15 ) for at least water; a C-inlet ( 17 ) for at least carbon and a synthesis gas outlet ( 19 ); wherein the C-outlet ( 23 ) of the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) is connected to the C-inlet ( 17 ) for at least carbon of the C-converter ( 5 );   a CO-converter ( 3 ) which is adapted for carrying out a Fischer Tropsch process for the production of synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons and which comprises a process chamber in which a catalyst is arranged and having means for guiding the synthesis gas info contact with the catalyst and having a control unit for controlling or regulating the temperature of the catalyst and/or the synthesis gas to a pre-determined temperature, wherein the process chamber of the CO-converter ( 3 ) is connected to the synthesis gas outlet ( 19 ) of the C-converter ( 5 );   wherein the CO-converter ( 3 ) comprises a water outlet ( 13 ) for water which is produced as a by-product during the process of producing synthetic hydrocarbons; and   a wafer line ( 31 ,  31 ′) which runs from the water outlet ( 13 ) of the CO-converter ( 3 ) to the inlet ( 15 ) for at least water of the C-converter ( 5 ); and   a steam turbine ( 43 ) having turbine blades and a steam inlet;   wherein the steam inlet of the steam turbine ( 43 ) is connected to the heat exchanger means ( 33 ) and is adapted for guiding a portion of the wafer which is produced as a by-product and is fed through the heat exchanger means ( 33 ) to the turbine blades in the form of a vapour.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 17 , which further comprises heat exchanger means ( 33 ) for cooling the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) or a synthesis gas line between the C-converter ( 5 ) and the CO-converter ( 3 ), and wherein a water line ( 31 ) runs from the wafer outlet ( 13 ) of the CO-converter ( 3 ) to tie heat exchanger means ( 33 ) and from the heat exchanger means ( 33 ) to the inlet ( 15 ) for at least water of the C-converter ( 5 ). 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ), the C-outlet ( 23 ) thereof the C-converter ( 5 ) and the C-inlet ( 17 ) thereof for at least carbon are constructed in such a way that carbon and hydrogen which are formed in the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) are fed together into the C-converter ( 5 ). 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) and the C-converter ( 5 ) are combined into a combined converter  7 / 5 ;
 wherein the process chamber of the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) and the process chamber of the C-converter ( 5 ) are formed by a hydrocarbon converter zone and a C-converter zone of the combined converter; and   wherein the C-outlet ( 23 ) of the hydrocarbon converter ( 7 ) and the C-inlet ( 17 ) for at least carbon of the C-converter ( 5 ) are formed by a transition between the hydrocarbon converter zone and the C-converter zone.