From synthesis gas to crackable feedstock via Fischer Tropsch synthesis
The project aims to investigate the most promising production routes to produce streams of short olefins (ethylene, butene, propylene) from raw materials based on renewable carbon sources such as (biogenic/circular) captured CO2, side streams from the pulp and paper industry, and gasified biomass. It also aims to produce results for state-of-the-art catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, with a focus on minimizing methane and wax formation.
The chemical companies in Stenungsund use large quantities of ethylene each year (approx. 800 kton), but also other short olefins (e.g., propylene and butene) produced by Borealis AG via steam cracking. If ethylene alone were produced entirely or partially from bioethanol instead, the production of short olefins other than ethylene would not be met, and the current steam cracking plant could not be used.
This project is a preliminary study that characterizes two routes to biogenic/circular syngas as a starting material for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of mixed hydrocarbons, of which naphtha (mainly saturated hydrocarbons with up to about twelve carbon atoms) goes to steam cracking.
The project represents a first preparatory step towards improved economic potential for the production of renewable/circular short olefins through steam cracking and/or catalytic cracking according to two main scenarios: 1) Conversion of collected and purified carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide on-site in Stenungsund via reversed water gas shift (RWGS) combined with the supply of hydrogen to complete syngas for FTS where all steps are performed on-site in Stenungsund; and 2) Syngas production via gasification and FTS integrated with the pulp and paper industry or combined heat and power plants where the raw FTS product is transported to Stenungsund for fractionation and further use.
The project can be seen as a continuation of, among other things, the investigations carried out within the so-called Skogskemi project, which studied the possibilities of supplying the chemical companies in Stenungsund with renewable ethylene. The project consists of four main work packages: (1) A focused study on production methods and integration scenarios for syngas production followed by FTS as above; (2) The assessment is that more research is needed on catalysts and conditions for FTS to maximize liquid yield, and a literature study is therefore proposed to be carried out on optimal catalysts for FTS with the aim of minimizing methane formation and maximizing liquid yield; (3) An experimental work package (AP3) where lab-scale screening of catalysts to minimize methane and wax formation in the FTS step is lifted out of this project and will need to be financed in another way. The goal of these laboratory activities is to maximize the liquid yield where liquid and gas phases are analyzed and the liquid phase is evaluated for use in Borealis AG crackers through simulations, as well as for use in other areas such as e.g. fuels for primarily aviation and stationary gas turbines, base oils and chemicals. Examples of important parameters to vary in the experiments are the H2/CO ratio and the temperature where, among other things, the olefin/paraffin ratio is measured and the amount of hydrocarbons in the kerosene range with potential for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is quantified; (4) Finally, a preliminary value chain analysis and a plan for the next step in the form of a larger development, pilot and demo project are made. Overall, the project thus clarifies how renewable syngas production followed by more selective FTS can be integrated into the cluster's current industries, and the feasibility of transitioning to renewable olefins.
Participating partners
RISE, BioShare AB, Borealis AG, Chalmers
Time period
2025-03-10 – 2025-12-31
Total budget
479 000 SEK
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