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Monetise low-value refinery waste by converting it into syngas

Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ Residue and Natural Gas Gasification process upgrades the bottom-of-the-barrel, other low-value streams, and waste into synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen), for refinery consumption, power generation or use in other high-value processes.

Benefits of waste gasification technology for refiners and operators

Upgrade low-value streams with high-value processes

Integrating the Shell Gasification Process with other upgrading and treating technologies enables you to process a wide range of feedstocks, including highly viscous, high-sulphur residues. The technology functions with low oxygen and fresh water consumption, resulting in low soot formation, and uses enhanced thermal efficiency that reduces operating costs while resulting in an enhanced syngas yield to supply the refinery with hydrogen, power or other usages.

Reduce plant emissions and capture CO2

An integrated Shell Gasification Process results in a high syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) yield with low soot levels and high thermal efficiency that reduces plant emissions. Capture CO2 created during the process instead of releasing it into the environment, storing it for later processes, such as enhanced oil recovery, or for use in greenhouses.

Process low-value and heavy materials

Use the Shell Gasification Process to handle heavy high-sulphur viscous residues such as thermal cracked residue, Solvent de-Asphalter residue (DoA), the bottom streams of Ebullated bed units, and heavy fuel oil from the fluidised catalytic cracker (FCC) unit.

Reduce operating costs and improve margins

Refiners can use gasification to reduce operating costs through the production of high-pressure saturated process steam, while petrochemical companies can convert refinery residue to syngas for the production of ammonia, methanol, oxo-alcohols, and other petrochemicals to increase margins.

Deliver high efficiency and yield with Shell Gasification Process technology

In the Shell Gasification Process, hydrocarbon chains are partially oxidised in a refractory-lined reactor. This results in a high syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) yield and generates heat.

The unit uses special burner and reactor designs to achieve high thermal efficiency and low soot levels. The syngas is cooled in an adjacent syngas effluent cooler, which produces high-pressure saturated process steam that can help to lower plant operating costs.

Shell Gasification Process technology can process a wide range of feedstocks and waste, including highly viscous, high-sulphur residues. It also offers:

  • Low oxygen and fresh water consumption;
  • Low soot formation (<1 mg/Nm³ of soot in raw syngas);
  • Enhanced syngas yield (typically >2,600 Nm³ syngas per tonne of feedstock);
  • and Enhanced thermal efficiency through the syngas cooling process (with high-pressure steam generation).

Through close partnerships with other users, Shell has the insight and experience to deliver.

The global Shell Gasification Process technical service centre provides dedicated life-cycle support for lifetime assurance, including design, simulation, start-up assistance and training, and long-term operational assistance. We facilitate global technology-user conferences that aim to build user communities and accelerate learning.

Why Shell Catalysts & Technologies

We can support the project throughout its life cycle, including:
  • Design and engineering;
  • Commissioning and start-up;
  • Experience transfer;
  • Master planning;
  • and Training.

Additional resource

On-demand webinar: Plastic waste & biomass gasification for enabling the energy transition

Producing more circular, low-carbon and bio-based products and fuels from biomass and plastic waste streams is increasingly necessary for refiners and petrochemical companies.

Fortunately, if you have a gasification unit in your line-up, you can now process many waste plastic streams that other recycling options cannot, including un-sortable plastic waste.

Stream the webinar to see how innovative pre-conversion technology can help you maintain your competitive position through the energy transition.

Stream webinar

Speak to an expert about improving margins with gasification technology

Help reduce plant emissions and operating costs with the Shell Gasification Process.