Philippine E-Journals

The Challenges and Opportunities of Environmental Catalysis in the natural GAS-Based industry and in Academe

Leonila C. Abella | Susan M. Gallardo

Discipline: Engineering

 

Abstract:

A rich deposit of natural gas was discovered in 1992 in the Malampaya Deep, offshore Palawan, in the South China Sea. The Malampaya Deep Water-Gas-to-Power project could provide big opportunities to utilize the natural gas and expand the gas- based industries, including power, transport and chemicals. The Philippine Energy Plan (1996-2025) of the Department of Energy (DOE) is a formal challenge addressed to the power industry, transport, and household sectors to accomplish the plan in due time. The utilization of natural gas creates greater opportunities for collaboration among these sectors, the government and the academe. The Department of Science & Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy Research & Development (PCIERD), is working closely with the DOE. In answer to PCIERD's call for the development of natural-gas technologies, the Environmental Engineering Laboratory of the College of Engineering, Research, Training & Consultancy (CERTC) of De La Salle University-Manila has started a research programme on the application of Catalysis in the area of methane utilization to produce synthesis gas. This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this programme, the chemistry of steam reforming, carbon dioxide reforming and partial oxidation. The review of literature includes current and promising industrial options to indirectly convert natural gas (via synthesis gas) to easily transportable chemicals (on-site processing).