skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Offshore methanol production: Selection of carriers for different plant capacities

Conference · · Proc., Annu. Offshore Technol. Conf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6324855

Methanol production is considered a feasible alternative to flaring associated gas or development of marginal gas fields. In order to fully appreciate the problems for a floating process plant, a series of scale model tests and theoretical calculations were carried out for different types of barges for petrochemical process plants designed for operation offshore. Motions and forces caused by waves, wind and current are compared with those for semisubmersibles and tankers as other potential carriers of process plants. Further, extensive tests were performed to evaluate the technical feasibility of operating a methanol-water distillation process subject to wave-induced irregular motions. Conceptual designs and cost estimates are made for methanol plants ranging from 100 MTPD to 3,000 MTPD with natural gas or associated gas as feedstock. As carriers of the plants, purpose-built barges and semisubmersible platforms as well as converted tankers are considered. A comparison is made of the methanol production costs using different plant carriers and related to different plant capacities.

Research Organization:
Swedyards Development Corp.
OSTI ID:
6324855
Report Number(s):
CONF-8405208-
Journal Information:
Proc., Annu. Offshore Technol. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 3; Conference: 16. annual offshore technology conference, Houston, TX, USA, 7 May 1984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English