(121a) Reducing Methane Emissions and Creating Value from Stranded Associated Gas

Stranded associated gas, produced as a byproduct of tight oil production, is an underutilized feedstock that is commonly flared, vented, or reinjected. Improved utilization of stranded gas faces two primary technical/economic challenges. First, the gas is inherently distributed geographically and the supply varies temporally, which requires rethinking the characteristics of the chemical plant used to process the gas. Second, methane—the primary constituent of associated gas—is relatively inert and requires activation through a synthesis gas intermediate prior to conversion to useful products. This methane activation step requires reforming chemistry which adds to the cost and complexity of the plant. This presentation explores the potential of piston engines as non-catalytic, partial-oxidation reformers, providing an enabling technology for distributed production of chemicals from stranded gas resources. The motivation for using an engine in this process is to take advantage of the modular, scalable, fast-responding characteristics of engines, leveraging this highly developed and mass-manufactured device for purposes beyond power generation or transportation. This presentation provides a perspective on technical, economic, regulatory, and environmental aspects of engine reforming for production of low-carbon fuels and chemicals from stranded gas.