Apparatus and method for producing methanol

US11912651B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

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

Inventors

• Karsten COVELLA · Frankfurt, DE
• Hans Kopetsch · Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, DE
• Bryce Williams · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Julien Aoun · Frankfurt am Main, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2022
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2024
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2203/0883
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing methanol from a synthesis gas is provided. The method includes (i) producing, in a partial oxidation chamber, the synthesis gas having a stoichiometric number of less than 1.8 by performing a partial oxidation process with a hydrocarbon stream and an oxygen stream, (ii) passing, in a water-gas shift reactor, the synthesis gas over a water-gas shift catalyst to convert at least a portion of carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (iii) producing a dry, shifted synthesis gas by separating liquid condensate from shifted synthesis gas, (iv) combining, in a recycle compressor, the dry, shifted synthesis gas with a recycle synthesis gas comprised of unreacted synthesis gas and a hydrogen rich product to form a mixed synthesis gas stream, and (v) converting, in a cooled methanol synthesis reactor, at least a portion of the mixed synthesis gas stream into methanol.