The Oxford Catalyst Group officially opened its new customer training center and pilot plant in Plain City, Ohio, the company said April 30. The plant is located at the site of the group’s U.S.-based subsidiary, Velocys Inc.
The integrated gas-to-liquids facility includes microchannel Fischer-Tropsch and steam methane reforming (SMR) reactors developed by the Oxford Catalysts Group and marketed under the brand name Velocys, as well as a conventional SMR plant provided by the U.S. Air Force. The facility has been operating since March 22 and is producing nearly 1 barrel per day of ultra-pure synthetic liquids and waxes.
Future plans include adding a microchannel hydroprocessor to the pilot plant to enable the production of finished fuels. The company will use the training center and pilot plant to test commercial plant configurations at commercially relevant operating conditions, as well as for customer operator training. The pilot plant augments the company’s previous field demonstrations, including one incorporating a nominal 25 bpd FT unit located at an integrated energy company.
For more information, visit www.oxfordcatalysts.com.