Oxford Catalysts wins first order for full-scale microchannel reactor

Güssing, Austria – Oxford Catalysts is gearing up for a full pilot plant phase application of its FT microchannel reactor technology. following the operation of a biomass-to-liquids (BTL) demonstration plant in Güssing.

The progress of the Austrian project to date has convinced the SGC Energia (SGCE) to award Oxford Catalysts its first order for a full scale commercial reactor.

“SGCE is pleased with the progress made this year in the pilot plant and we’re proceeding with our next steps to broadly commercialise the Oxford Catalysts Group’s FT technology,” said Vianney Vales, CEO of SGCE.

The FT microchannel reactor, comprised of tens of thousands of full-length microchannels will be used in a 25 barrels/day pilot plant at Güssing to produce liquid fuel from biomass.

The pilot plant, designed for the small scale distributed production of biofuels via the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction, will be operated jointly by SGCE and Velocys, Inc., the US-based member of the Oxford Catalysts Group

The existing demo plant – which is jointly operated by the Oxford Catalysts Group and SGCE – incorporates an FT microchannel reactor comprised of over 900 full-length microchannels.

This reactor has been performing effectively at Güssing since July 2010, according to Oxford Catalysts.

In the demonstration plant – which produces over 0.75 kg of high quality synthetic FT liquids per litre of catalyst per hour and exhibits productivities 4 to 8 times greater than conventional systems.

The reactor has proved to be very efficient at controlling temperatures in the highly exothermic (heat-generating) FT reaction and at maintaining isothermal conditions throughout the reactor, reported Oxford Catalysts.

The FT technology has also demonstrated robust responsiveness to shutdowns and start-ups, the company added.