GasPro ’14: Juniper GTL launches new small-scale FT process
By Stephany Romanow
Editor, Hydrocarbon Processing
HOUSTON -- James F. Davis, general manager for Juniper GTL, confirmed that conditions are radically different for owner/operators in developing small-scale Fischer-Tropsch technologies.
Speaking this week at the GasPro North America conference, Davis explained how as an owner/operator, Juniper GTL is developing a new GTL process, XTLH™ Solutions, that will ensure profits with first feed.
Juniper’s small-scale FT process has taken over eight years to research and fine tune the process and control schemes. Working with investors, Juniper GTL has labored to build the expertise and a state-of-the-art technical center, which is used to guarantee finished product and intermediate stream results of the R&D program.
Using a mothballed HYCO plant operated by Praxair. The key to controlling costs for the new plant was recycling major equipment from the old steam-methane reformer. Davis remarked, “We paid cents on the dollar to purchase this plant.”
The company did their due diligence with the OEM of the reformer. Seals, now a part of Linde, confirmed the reformer was in excellent condition.
Juniper also inspected and conducted eddy-current testing on existing heat exchangers.
Some needed repairs. Of course, revamping an existing plant presents challenges in adding new piping and other equipment.
The company made extensive use of 3D-laser scanning of existing pipe racks and equipment to confirm that new installations would fit into the existing footprints.
The new small-scale FT unit is under HAZOP review. Nearly 80% of the long-lead equipment has been purchased.
The other benefit from using a brownfield site was that Juniper could still use the air permits of the former HYCO plant, which was a definite time saver.
Juniper GTL has invested $200 million in the R&D program over the past eight years. Davis confirmed much of the lessons-learned from plant 1 will be used in the design of plant 2.
Juniper GTL is evaluating designs for GTL plants sized from 5,000 bpd to 10,000 bpd, and seven sites are under consideration.
The Westlake plant should be online in 2015.
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