(644c) Optimization of the Water-Energy Nexus in Gas-to-Liquid Processes

The growth in demand for petrochemical commodities and inexpensive energy has prompted increased demands for water thereby exacerbating the strain on fresh water sources. In most cases these expanding commodity and energy demands have been met by developing countries trying to gain a footing in the global market. In particular, Qatar has shown to be one of these rapidly growing industrialized countries with ties to many globally required products. The vision to expand its industrial capabilities has certainly had a direct effect on the requirement for fresh water and amount of waste water discharge. Consequently there is need to develop efficient and effective water management strategies that minimize the effects of this growing industrialized state.

This work utilizes process optimization and integration techniques to identify macroscopic approaches to minimizing fresh water use and waste water discharge within industrial complexes. In specific, the approach would incorporate water source-sink mapping as well as heat integration for fresh water production. A case study applicable to the industrial cities in Qatar is presented with key focus directed towards the net water and energy producing Gas to liquid (GTL) process. The study further evaluates the true cost of no process liquid discharge as a requirement in Qatar as well as explores sources for industrial symbiosis that may lead to a reduction in overall process cost. In effect, the work would represent a framework for which future eco-industrial parks with GTL processes can be effectively developed to maximize utilization of water and energy resources. This is critical for developing countries or regions with low fresh water resources.