In previous comments dated 03/11/2022 and 28/10/2022, we presented our thoughts regarding the current status of Small-scale GTL technologies, as well as the results of a statistical analysis of patenting activity in the field of syngas production by Small-scale GTL. In this note, we will try to analyze the main trends in recent patent solutions. One of the most popular trends in patent solutions related to the production of syngas by...

Small-scale GTL plants are complex technical structures in which technological operations are sequentially carried out to convert raw organic feedstock, first into synthesis gas, and then into various hydrocarbons. Presently, such plants are manufactured by several companies, mainly for use in remote areas of oil production for the beneficial utilization of associated gas. In a previous comment dated 28/10/2022, we reviewed the current...

Syngas is one of the key resources for the production of synthetic fuels. Hydrogen, which is a part of syngas is widely used in oil refining and ammonia production. One of the main advantages of syngas is that it can be produced from almost any hydrocarbon or organic material, including natural gas, oil, coal, biomass and even municipal waste. The feedstock is exposed to a high temperature and controlled composition of the gas mixture...

Presently, the global market for floating solar panels is estimated to be a few dozens of millions of US dollars. At the same time, only 10-15% of floating stations are equipped with active solar tracking systems. Nevertheless, many experts expect a significant growth in this segment of market in the next decade, predominantly in the countries of Southeast Asia. Therefore, the largest suppliers of floating panels are Japanese Kyocera...

Hydrocarbons in low-permeable shale rocks, unlike oil and gas-rich natural reservoirs, are located on a much larger area and, lacking mobility, are clogged in relatively small cavities. To ensure the extraction of hydrocarbons from such rocks, at least two additional measures are required: to increase the contact area of ​​the well with the gas-containing formation and to increase the permeability of the rock. Since the thickness of...

One of most important problems of wind energy is the relatively low capacity factor, which in real practice of wind turbines rarely exceeds 30%. As a result, huge material-intensive and expensive structures of wind turbines sit idle for a considerable time without generating electricity, reducing the investment attractiveness of the industry, hindering a decrease in selling prices for electricity and limiting the competitiveness of...

Steam injection is one of the most common and widely-applied methods of thermal stimulation of high-viscosity and high-density oil reservoirs causing a significant reduction in the viscosity of the heavy oils. There are three major types of steam injection techniques – SAGD (Steam Assisted gravity drainage), CSS (Cyclic Steam Stimulation) and Steam flooding. In practice, the steam injection process is often supported by a combination...

One of the main barriers to the development of wind energy is its low capacity factor, which in real practice rarely exceeds 30%. The leading trends in the development of wind energy are the increase in the size of wind turbines and construction of wind farms in offshore zones, which allows the maximum capacity factor to be achieved. Thus, one of the largest offshore wind turbines – Haliade-X, developed by General Electric, have a...

One of the options to substantially increase the efficiency of solar technologies is the implementation of trackers, devices that follow the solar position and correspondingly orient photovoltaic panels or mirror reflectors. There is a multi-level classification of trackers based on their functional capabilities. First of all, passive and active trackers can be distinguished. In the latter case special actuating mechanisms such as...

Energy storage technologies constitute one of the most important domains of the modern energy industry. The key problem holding back the development of renewable energy is the variability in operation of solar and wind power plants due to the natural characteristics of these resources. The development and improvement of high-capacity energy storage technology largely determines the further development and competitiveness of these...