Research and development on theoretical and fundamental issues impacting conversion processes is led by the R&D branch of our parent company. All technological services provided by Synfuels Americas are originally developed from fundamental research, tested at the pilot scale, and then expanded to commercial-scale technology.
Key areas of basic research include:
The chemical preparation of the catalysts
Catalytic reaction engineering
Selective hydrocarbon product distribution
Control theory and methodology
Detailed elementary reaction kinetic experiments using models
The active phase structure and theoretical calculations of quantum chemistry
The structural characterization of the catalysts
Process Research
General technology and plant process simulation and modeling research is critical for developing technology at the frontier of the energy conversion industry.
Optimizing synthetic gas for the Fischer-Tropsch process
Dynamic mechanisms
Reactor simulation and modeling
Process simulation software development
Basic physical data and thermodynamic modeling
Industrial ecology modeling
Thorough research is conducted related to a wide range of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and product refining processes.
Recycling of lighter components
Synthetic oil and heavy wax hydrotreating
Heavy wax fractionation, hydrogenation, and cracking
Product recovery and purification
Separation and purification of synthetic products and other fuels
Fischer-Tropsch synthesized oil hydrogenation process
Fischer-Tropsch wax hydrocracking technology
Manufacturing diesel via hydrogenation catalyst technology
Non-curing system hydrotreating processes
Thermal cracking of naphtha to light olefins technology
Production of light olefins using middle distillates techniques
Synthetic wax production
Aqueous phase refining process technology
Engineering research of separation of byproducts (alcohols, aldehydes, acids, etc.)
