Design and Economics of a Lignite-to-SNG (Substitute Natural Gas) Facility Using Lurgi Gasifiers with In-Line Conversion of By-Product Liquids to Methane

摘要

A first-pass conceptual design and screening cost estimate was prepared for a hypothetical plant to convert lignite to methane using Lurgi dry bottom gasifiers and employing a 'black box reactor' to convert by-product liquids in the gas phase to methane. Results were compared to those from conventional and modified Lurgi plant designs. The in-line conversion plant can potentially reduce the cost of gas from a Lurgi plant by about 20%. Due to reduced capital investment, over $200 million could be invested in the reactor before the cost of gas from the in-line conversion plant is as high as that of a Lurgi plant.