Bio-GTL: A novel biorefinery concept for the conversion of methane to fuels

The rise in hydrofracturing ("fracking") in the U.S. has led to huge increases in the availability of methane (the primary component of natural gas).  In some areas,  natural gas is captured and transported to centralized facilities for cleanup and distribution for power generation, heating and cooking, and to a limited extent, transportation fuel.  However, much natural gas is vented or flared because it is not economically viable to bring it to market.  This is true for natural gas produced as a byproduct of petroleum extraction and also true for biogas (a mixture primarily of methane and CO2) produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic material.  Venting and flaring wastes energy and generates greenhouse gases; processes to valorize methane that could be scaled with the point sources could provide significant economic and environmental benefits.  Methane can be converted to liquid hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch process, requiring very large volumes and high energy inputs to be economically viable.  NREL and partners at University of Washington, San Diego State University, LanzaTech, and Johnson Matthey have worked to develop a process for biological conversion of methane to liquid hydrocarbons (Biological Gas to Liquids or Bio-GTL) based on the unique metabolic capability of methanotrophic bacteria.  This presentation will provide data for an integrated Bio-GTL process,  summarize the techno-economic analysis, and identify key drivers for cost reduction.  It will also outline additional work going on at NREL focused on the conversion of methane to fuels and products and provide estimates for the magnitude of these opportunities.