Gas scrubbing process for purifying raw synthesis gas by physical absorption in methanol

US11624035B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Ganesh Kumar Arumugam · Honolulu, US
• Dorit Rappold · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Sharon Corbet · Frankfurt, DE
• Robert Szabo · Komló, HU

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 2021
• Grant date: Apr 11, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/151
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas scrubbing process and plant for purifying raw synthesis gas by physical absorption in methanol. A raw synthesis gas stream which includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide as desired constituents and water and acid gases as undesired constituents is admixed with methanol and subsequently cooled below the freezing point of water. According to the invention a liquid phase including methanol and water is separated from the cooled raw synthesis gas stream. Acid gases are removed from the remaining gaseous phase by physical absorption in methanol at elevated pressure. Separating the water from the raw synthesis gas stream before the absorption of the acid gases prevents larger amounts of water passing into the methanol circuit of the gas scrubbing process. This achieves savings in resources and certain plant parts may be smaller than is customary.