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An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process provides methods for recovering reaction water from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with minimal adverse environmental effects and with reduced costs compared to traditional methods. Reaction water, preferably separated from an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch r

An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process provides methods for recovering reaction water from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with minimal adverse environmental effects and with reduced costs compared to traditional methods. Reaction water, preferably separated from an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, is vaporized and contaminants are thermally oxidized while in the vapor state. The thermal oxidation also produces flue gases, which flue gases may be condensed to recover water.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A Fischer-Tropsch process which comprises:a) recovering reaction water from a stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor; b) indirectly heat exchanging the reaction water using energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process to vaporize the reaction water, producing a heat-exchanged reaction water; and c) rea

1. A Fischer-Tropsch process which comprises:a) recovering reaction water from a stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor; b) indirectly heat exchanging the reaction water using energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process to vaporize the reaction water, producing a heat-exchanged reaction water; and c) reacting the heat-exchanged reaction water in a thermal oxidizer, producing flue gas. 2. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein the stream from which the reaction water is recovered is a Fischer-Tropsch overhead stream.3. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein the reaction water comprises impurities selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, oxygenates, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, and combinations thereof.4. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein recovering reaction water from an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises:i) recovering an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor; ii) cooling the overhead stream to condense at least a portion thereof, producing a cooled overhead stream; and iii) separating the cooled overhead stream into a tail gas fraction, a hydrocarbon condensate fraction, and reaction water. 5. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein the energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process is obtained by cooling the overhead stream.6. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein the energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process is obtained by cooling the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.7. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 6, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch reactor is cooled using cooling coils.8. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 7, wherein the energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process is obtained by cooling steam generated in the cooling coils.9. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 8, further comprising generating power by passing the steam through a turbine before cooling the steam.10. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 8, further comprising using at least a portion of the steam in steam reforming of methane to form syngas, to be fed to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.11. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 8, further comprising condensing at least a portion of the steam, providing water.12. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 11, further comprising recycling at least a portion of the water to the Fischer-Tropsch process for further use.13. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, wherein the energy from the Fischer-Tropsch process is obtained by cooling the flue gas.14. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 1, further comprising condensing at least a portion of the flue gas, providing water.15. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 14, wherein condensing at least a portion of the flue gas comprises:i) passing at least a portion of the flue gas to a direct contacting cooler comprising a water spray; and ii) recovering from the direct contacting cooler a vapor product and water. 16. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 15, further comprising passing at least a portion of the water to the water spray.17. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 14, further comprising recovering at least a portion of the water for further use.18. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 17, wherein the further use comprises reactor cooling.19. The Fischer-Tropsch process of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the water is used in cooling coils.20. The process of claim 1, further comprising using at least a portion of the flue gas in steam reforming of methane to form syngas, to be fed to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.