Description
The Vinci Technologies Fischer–Tropsch Pilot Plant is a fully integrated, automated system for converting synthesis gas into valuable hydrocarbons. Designed for a nominal production of 2 kg/day, it supports catalyst evaluation, process optimization, and product development. The plant enables detailed studies of catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability under controlled operating conditions. Independent hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen feeding lines provide precise control of gas flow rates and composition. Thermal mass flow controllers allow accurate adjustment of the H₂/CO ratio and gas hourly space velocity. The reaction section comprises two parallel stainless steel fixed-bed tubes installed within a common thermal-oil jacket. The reactor assembly provides a total internal volume of 2 litres and accommodates a catalyst loading of 0.5 litre. Thermal-oil circulation promotes efficient heat removal and uniform temperatures during the highly exothermic synthesis reaction. Multipoint thermocouples continuously monitor the axial temperature profile throughout the catalyst bed. Typical operating conditions range from 280 to 350°C at 30 barg, with a maximum operating pressure of 45 barg. The gas recirculation system returns unconverted reactants to the reactor to improve overall syngas utilization. A dedicated recycle compressor and Coriolis mass flow controller regulate the recirculated gas stream. The downstream separation system recovers waxes, liquid hydrocarbons, water, and non-condensable gases. A heated high-pressure separator operating at approximately 250°C collects heavy hydrocarbons while limiting wax solidification. A dedicated heated collection vessel maintains the recovered waxes in a fluid condition for withdrawal and sampling. Subsequent cooled separation stages recover lighter condensable products and support separate liquid collection. Electronic back-pressure regulation maintains the process pressure, while a wet gas meter measures the outlet gas volume. A PLC and PC-based supervision system provide process control, trend visualization, and continuous data recording. Integrated alarms, shutdown interlocks, pressure relief devices, and nitrogen purging support safe operation. Mounted on a compact modular skid, the plant can be customized to meet specific research and industrial development requirements.
The Vinci Technologies Hydrocracking Module upgrades Fischer–Tropsch waxes into lighter hydrocarbons for synthetic diesel and aviation fuel development. A heated feed tank, precision dosing pump, and heat-traced lines ensure reliable wax delivery without solidification. A tubular fixed-bed reactor with a three-zone furnace provides controlled reaction conditions up to 200 barg and 500°C. High- and low-pressure separators recover gaseous, hydrocarbon, and aqueous fractions, with nitrogen stripping for liquid degassing. Integrated PLC control, continuous weighing, and gas metering support automated operation, catalyst evaluation, and material balance calculations.
Features
Fischer–Tropsch Pilot Plant:
Nominal hydrocarbon production: 2 kg/day subject to catalyst performance and operating conditions.
Gas hourly space velocity (GHSV): 2,000–3,000 h⁻¹.
Catalyst loading: 0.5 L.
Total reactor volume: 2 L.
Reactor configuration: 2 parallel fixed-bed tubes within a common thermal-oil jacket.
Individual reactor tubes: 1 L volume, 1,000 mm height, approximately 36 mm internal diameter.
Operating pressure: typically 30 barg; maximum 45 barg.
Operating temperature: 280–350°C; reactor design temperature: 400°C.
Hydrogen feed: up to 2,000 NL/h.
Carbon monoxide feed: up to 1,000 NL/h.
Nitrogen feed: up to 500 NL/h.
Gas recirculation compressor: up to 20 NL/min; electrical power: 2.2 kW.
Recycle flow controller: Coriolis type, up to 500 g/h, with ±0.5% of reading accuracy.
Product separation: 3 stages for wax, liquid hydrocarbon, aqueous phase, and off-gas recovery.
Hot high-pressure separator: up to 250°C and 45 barg.
Heated wax collection vessel: 5 L capacity; maximum temperature: 200°C.
Outlet gas meter: maximum flow rate of 500 L/h.
Vent knock-out pots: 1 L for the high-pressure header and 2 L for the low-pressure header.
Approximate skid dimensions: 2.5 m width × 1 m depth × 2 m height.
Design and manufacturing: compliant with PED 2014/68/EU
Second-Stage Hydrocracking Module:
Liquid feed rate: 10–600 mL/h.
Catalyst volume: 5–25 mL, depending on dilution.
Liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV): 0.3–8 h⁻¹.
Maximum operating pressure: 200 barg; reactor design pressure: 220 barg.
Maximum reactor temperature: 500°C.
Reactor heating: 3 independently controlled zones; catalyst bed temperature uniformity within ±2°C.
Axial temperature monitoring: 3 internal thermocouples.
Hydrogen flow rate: 10–80 NL/h.
Nitrogen flow rate: 10–50 NL/h.
Feed and DMDS tanks: 2 × 2 L.
Feed tank and transfer line heating: up to 180°C.
Precision metering pumps: 2, for wax feed and DMDS injection.
Feed preheating: up to 200°C ±1°C.
Separation stages: 1 high-pressure three-phase separator and 1 low-pressure two-phase separator.
Low-pressure separator: 350 mL capacity; operating pressure up to 10 bar.
Product recovery tanks: 1 × 2 L for water and 1 × 2 L for hydrocarbons.
Weighing scales: 3 × 0–4 kg, with 1 g readability and digital communication.
Cooling system: included chiller operating from 10 to 35°C.
Outlet gas metering: 100–1,000 L/h.
Benefits
Fischer–Tropsch Pilot Plant:
*Comprehensive catalyst evaluation: Assess catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability under precisely controlled conditions.
* Effective heat management: Thermal-oil temperature control limits hot spots during highly exothermic reactions.
* Improved syngas utilization: Gas recirculation returns unconverted reactants to the synthesis stage.
* Complete product assessment: Separate recovery of waxes, liquid hydrocarbons, water, and off-gas supports material balances.
* Flexible research platform: Adjustable feed composition and operating conditions support diverse development programmes.
Second-Stage Hydrocracking Module:
* Higher-value product development: Upgrade FT waxes into lighter hydrocarbons targeting synthetic diesel and aviation fuel fractions.
* Reliable wax handling: Heated storage and transfer lines maintain feed fluidity and reduce blockage risks.
