AmecFW Points to Cost-Saving Syngas Technology

UK-US contractor and technology group Amec Foster Wheeler (AmecFW) said July 26 it had conducted a successful pilot in China of its once-through methanation technology, which produces substitute natural gas (SNG) by gasifying either coal or petroleum coke.  

Its vice president of technology, Andy Hemingway, said: "Substitute natural gas is an effective route to clean fuel energy which can help alleviate the shortage of China's natural gas output. We are extremely pleased to see that our new Vesta once-through methanation technology has been proven at a commercial scale with the support of our partners Wison and Clariant. We look forward to supporting the Chinese and global markets with this innovative technology." Wison is a Chinese company, while catalysts firm Clariant is Swiss and was formed in 1995 as a spin-off from Sandoz.

VESTA pilot gasification plant (Photo credit: Amec Foster Wheeler)

AmecFW said the new technology has “no need for expensive compressors or refractory reactors”, reduces capital expenditure by 20% or more, and does not require strict control of the hydrogen/carbon ratio. It also has a significant energy saving impact, according to test results, that can reduce operating costs by over $25mn/yr based on a sample model of 4bn m³/yr SNG output.

Mark Smedley