Primus Green Energy

Primus Green Energy is a gas-to-liquids technology (GTL) developer. Available as a modular system or as a licensed technology, the company’s solutions include Gas-to-Gasoline systems and Gas-to-Methanol systems. Based in New Jersey, Primus’ headquarters include facilities for design, engineering, operator training and remote operation, as well as R&D and catalyst development. Primus has been funded by its parent company, Kenon Holdings Ltd .^[1]

History

In 2007, Primus began development of its proprietary STG+ technology, an integrated GTL process that utilizes a single-loop approach to produce a flexible range of finished end products, including gasoline, methanol and diluent.

Primus completed its pilot plant in 2010, which consisted of two units: a hydrocarbon gasifier/reformer to produce syngas and a gasoline synthesis unit that uses the STG+ process to convert that syngas into high-quality gasoline. In 2011, a third-party laboratory verified that the gasoline met or exceeded all ASTM standards for conventional gasoline.

In 2012, Primus broke ground on a full-scale single-loop demonstration plant in Hillsborough, N.J., holding a dedication ceremony to commemorate the event. Several notable New Jersey politicians, including former Gov. James Florio, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Joseph Fiordaliso and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Assistant Commissioner Robert Marshall, spoke at the dedication ceremony.

Primus commissioned its full-scale demonstration plant in October 2013. The plant produces 100,000 gallons of high-quality gasoline from natural gas per year and can also produce methanol and diluent products. Primus held another ceremony to commemorate the event, with the speaking lineup being headlined by N.J. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, N.J. Sen. Christopher Bateman and Israel Corporation’s President and CEO Nir Gilad. The ceremony also marked the first time that high-octane gasoline produced via Primus’ STG+ process was used to fuel the test drive of a car.

In 2014, the company released results of an independent engineer’s report prepared by E3 Consulting LLC, which concluded that Primus’ technology exceeded expectations during plant operation.^[2] As of October 2015, Primus’ demonstration plant has achieved more than 7,000 hours of operation.

Technology

Primus has developed a range of flexible GTL systems to meet the increased demand for gas monetization technologies, all of which feature its technology at their core. The integrated process utilizes a unique single-loop approach that eliminates wastewater and produces a single finished product.

Primus’ technology has several advantages over the main competing GTL technologies in use today. These include higher yield, reduced water usage, zero wastewater, lower capital and operating costs, reduced process complexity and higher product quality. In addition, Primus’ technology is flexible in terms of feedstock types. As a result of its efficiency, the STG+™ technology is more cost-effective than competing technologies at scales of 10,000 bpd or less, as well as having the same advantages at a larger scale.

Gas-to-Gasoline System Primus’ Gas-to-Gasoline system produces gasoline or diluent directly from a range of hydrocarbon gas types. Primus’ modular gasoline units are designed to be cost-effective at scales as small as 500 barrels per day (bpd). The Primus Gas-to-Gasoline system takes place in a continuous gas-phase closed loop, with no intermediate condensation steps:

1. Steam Methane Reforming – Natural gas or other hydrocarbon gas reacts with steam at a high temperature and pressure to produce syngas (H₂,CO and CO₂ ).
2. Syngas-to-Gasoline – A series of catalytic fixed-bed reactors convert the syngas into gasoline and water via methanol and dimethyl ether intermediates.
3. Liquid/Gas Separation – The products are cooled and condensed. The gasoline product is sent to storage; the water is reused to make steam for the reformer; and the unconverted gas is recycled, with a portion being used to fuel the reformer.

Gas-to-Methanol System Primus’ Gas-to-Methanol System produces AA-grade methanol at small, medium, or large scales in any location where there is a feed gas source. The process accommodates a range of feedstock types, including associated gas, wet or dry natural gas and ethane. The system is cost-effective at scales as small as 160 metric tons per day of methanol, providing owners with a mechanism for capitalizing on local natural gas resources while meeting regional methanol demand. The process consists of three steps: steam Methane Reforming – Natural or associated gas reacts with steam at a high temperature and pressure to produce syngas; Syngas to Methanol Reaction – Syngas reacts in a catalytic fixed bed reactor that converts the syngas to methanol; Distillation/Separation – The water/methanol mixture is separated from other gases, and then fed to a distillation column system that is designed to meet the user’s methanol purity requirements. On-spec methanol is collected from the top of the column, water is reused to make steam for the reformer and off-gas is recycled as feed or fuel to the reformer.

Commercial Partnerships

Primus is in the process of executing several commercial projects in North America and throughout the world including both natural gas-to-gasoline and natural gas-to-methanol systems.^[3]

Primus Green Energy's Demonstration Plant

See also

• Natural gas
• Gas to liquids
• Syngas to gasoline plus

References