Work

Avoiding runaway scenarios in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis during startup: temperature and pressure influence

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The operation of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) pilot plants is essential to advancing Power-to-X strategies. However, conducting experimental campaigns with multiple startups introduces significant challenges due to the system's pronounced sensitivity to thermal instability and remains an unaddressed challenge in the literature. This experimental study analyzes the thermal response of a pilot-scale FTS reactor under controlled heating and pressurization, aiming to identify safe operating limits to prevent thermal runaway. Runaway was observed when internal heating rates exceeded 15 ºC/h, while stable operation was achieved by limiting oil heating to < 1ºC/h, resulting in internal thermal rates between 8-15 ºC/h. Pressurization from 10 to 20 bar at 3 bar/h induced a significantly lower thermal rate of 0.48 ºC/bar, offering a safer alternative to thermal ramping within critical temperature ranges. These findings highlight the importance of combining temperature and pressure ramping strategies to maintain thermal control during startup. Maintaining internal thermal rates below 15 ºC/h is critical to ensuring safe and stable operation of pilot-scale FTS systems.

Source: Process Safety and Environmental Protection

DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2025.107849

Authors: Karen Quintana, Martí Biset-Peiró, Andrés A. García Blanco, Jordi Guilera

Institutions: Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona

Language: English

Topic: Catalysts for Methane Reforming

Subfield: Catalysis

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500