Carry out thermodynamic analyses of how: temperature, pressure, and molar ratio of reactants in the feed stream (such as H2O to CH4 ratio in steam reform reaction) may affect the methane conversion rate to the target product(s);
2023-12-26 11:47:08
On-Campus Project Brief
1.Background
Western Australia has large resources of natural gas (NG), mostly at offshore locations. Having invested billions of dollars in NG production and export in recent years, it is expected that WA will soon be the largest exporter of LNG (liquefied natural gas) in the world. While this is a vital route of commercialising natural gas resources, the price of LNG fluctuates significantly. It is desirable that small scale productions of higher value products (such as hydrogen, ethylene, etc.) from methane can be done on site, to provide flexibility and robustness against price fluctuation.
Methane has a stable molecular structure. The conversion of methane to hydrocarbons is energy intensive and costly; significant technological breakthrough is needed to discover effective and cost-efficient methane conversion routes. This assignment requires students to explore the current development in methane conversions, and carry out thermodynamic analyses of various reaction routes. Your study should focus on reaction equilibria (instead of catalyst and reaction kinetics), for maximising the yield of desirable products.Western Australia has large resources of natural gas (NG), mostly at offshore locations
2.Your Tasks
- Carry out literature reviews of various reaction routes to convert methane to higher value products (such as hydrogen, ethylene, etc.).
- Three routes should be found and reported in your assignment report, such as Route 1: CH4 conversion to syngas by steam reforming reaction.
- For each route, please undertake the following tasks:
1) Carry out thermodynamic analyses of how: temperature, pressure, and molar ratio of reactants in the feed stream (such as H2O to CH4 ratio in steam reform reaction) may affect the methane conversion rate to the target product(s);
2) Identify if any undesirable side reaction may take place, in parallel with the main reaction;
3) Determine the “best” reaction conditions (in terms of temperature, pressure and the ratio of CH4 to other reactants) that may maximise the conversion of methane to the target product(s);
4)Discuss the validity and reliability of your findings.
3.Your Assignment Report
Title and Contents
Your assignment report should have the title of: “A Thermodynamic Study on Methane Conversions”. It must contain:
- Title Page
- Executive Summary
- Table of Contents
- Numbered sections and subsections with the following headings:
- Introduction (no more than half page long, with the purpose of explaining to your readers the information she/he may expect to find in this report)
- Literature review that include: (a) natural gas deposits and production in Western Australia, and (b) methane conversion routes.
- Results and Discussion
3.1.Thermodynamic analysis
3.2.The optimal reaction route and condition
3.3.Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Length
The main body of your report (i.e. excluding cover page, executive summary, and Table of Contents) must not exceed twelve (12) pages. There is no minimum page requirement. The Executive Summary, Introduction, and Conclusion sections should be brief (no more than half page for each). Carry out thermodynamic analyses of how: temperature, pressure, and molar ratio of reactants in the feed stream (such as H2O to CH4 ratio in steam reform reaction) may affect the methane conversion rate to the target product(s)
5.Marking and Feedbacks
Assessments of your assignment reports will be based on the following weighting:
- Competency shown in the Summary, Intro., and Conclusion sections 12%
- Breadth and clarity of the literature review section 24%
- Breadth, clarity and validity of thermodynamic analysis section 40%
- Referencing, structure, formatting, and quality of profession writing 24%
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