Rentech Awarded 19th U.S. Patent Related To Its Gas-To-Liquids Process
Denver, CO - Rentech, Inc. announced that it was notified by the United States Patent Office that it has been awarded its 19 th United States patent related to its Fischer-Tropsch (FT) gas-to-liquids technology (GTL).
US Patent No. 6,838,487, A Method and Apparatus for Regenerating an Iron-Based Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst, teaches a method for regenerating spent (non-reactive) iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. The patent explains how iron-based catalyst that is being used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to produce hydrocarbons can be reprocessed and rejuvenated, or regenerated, to again produce the Fischer-Tropsch reaction after it has become non-reactive due to carbon build up on the surface of the catalyst.
Although the Rentech iron-based catalyst is relatively inexpensive and spent catalyst can be disposed of in landfills, the patent has at least two distinct applications under which it could be utilized where regeneration may be preferable to disposal. For example, off-shore or barge-mounted GTL plants could benefit from reduced handling and transport of catalyst to and from the facility possibly saving both time and money. Another example could be in pristine rainforest habitat, such as the upper Amazon, with long, difficult distances to and from industrial centers. One may choose catalyst regeneration over landfilling in order to maintain the integrity of the environment and reduce the transport costs of bringing catalyst into this type of GTL facility.
It should be noted that any cost saving would be situation dependent. If it proved to be more economical to regenerate than buy new catalyst, then it would be prudent to regenerate.
Rentech, Inc., incorporated in 1981, is the developer and licensor of a patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch gas-to-liquids process (GTL) for conversion of synthesis gas made from natural gas, industrial off-gas, or solid or liquid carbon-bearing materials into high-value fuels and chemicals. These include clean burning, ultra-low-sulfur and ultra-low-aromatic fuels (beyond detectable limits), naphtha, waxes and fuel for fuel cells.
Source: Rentech, Inc.