Today's GTL technology is based on the coal liquefaction process developed in the 1920s by two German scientists, Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch.
The chemical reaction of natural gas and oxygen produces carbon monoxide, which is then converted into paraffin wax. The long chains of hydrocarbon molecules of the wax are then broken down into a variety of gas-to-liquids products in a "cracker". The purification of the natural gas prior to the process produces condensates and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
One of products coming out of the cracker is gasoil, a diesel fuel blended into crude-based diesel. This blend is low in emissions, and Shell already blends gasoil at its plant in Bintulu, Malaysia, selling it in the European market and Thailand. Pearl GTL will produce about 50,000 barrels of gas oil per day, most of which will be exported to Europe.
GTL kerosene's main use will be in jet fuel, and Qatar Airways has already tested the use of a GTL blend in commercial flights. Gas-based kerosene produces fewer emissions than conventional jet fuel and has a higher energy density, which might allow aircraft to carry less fuel.
Shell, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, Woqod, Airbus and Rolls-Royce are researching GTL jet fuel use at the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Much of Pearl's jet fuel production could be sold domestically if Qatar Airways adopted the fuel on a large scale.
Pearl's crackers will yield large amounts of naphtha, which will be sold mainly in the Asian growth markets to produce plastics. As it has higher paraffin content than conventional feedstock, GTL naphtha produces more plastics per unit.
The plant can also produce as much as 30,000 barrels a day of base oils, used in lubricants. Shell will sell this product in the retail market via its global distribution system.
Meanwhile, GTL paraffin from Pearl can be turned into washing powder and soap.
