Gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology: Targets for process design and water-energy nexus

The increasing production of shale gas is spurring a significant interest in GTL technologies that had been restricted to natural gas feedstocks. This paper identifies the current approaches to the design of GTL plants and provides targets and benchmarks for the performance of the GTL facility. The key processing steps are reviewed including natural/shale gas reforming, Fischer Tropsch synthesis, and syncrude upgrading. In specific, focus is given to the effects of various gas-reforming technologies on the opportunities for power and water generation as well as the impact on GHG emissions.