By the OGJ Online Staff
LONDON, Nov. 26 -- Statoil ASA has introduced a process to convert gas that was previously flared into propylene, a raw material for plastics production.
The process is being tested at Statoil's industrial plant at Tjeldbergodden in mid-Norway. The German technology group Lurgi AS developed the technology and built the process equipment. The demonstration plant arrived in Tjeldbergodden earlier this month.
Statoil researchers believe large-scale methanol factories are the future solution for gas produced in areas lacking the necessary infrastructure for export. Currently, large volumes of gas are flared. The demonstration plant will show if the technology can be used at a large plant.
"If the demonstration plant performs well, Lurgi may build a large scale plant in 2 to 4 years," said Uwe Finck, a spokesman for Lurgi.
In the next few days, the unit will be tested for leaks. In addition, the electrical system will be checked thoroughly. When the plant comes on stream, the objective is to achieve a yield of 70% propylene from the methanol.
Karl Jørgen Kristiansen, Statoil's technical manager implementing the testing, said, "We have now got a response from the control module and have connected power, signals, and telephones. The rest of the week will probably be spent testing, and next week we will begin production."
