Low CO2 emissions methanol process and production apparatus
US12304816B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01B2203/127
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Processes and apparatus for low-CO2 emissions methanol production using a high efficiency (>90%) reformer fired with a low-carbon fuel (C:H<0.03) to produce syngas. CO2 is removed from the syngas, and the CO2-lean syngas is fed to a methanol synthesis loop. A purge stream from the methanol synthesis loop is processed to recover a hydrogen-rich stream and a tail gas stream. The hydrogen-rich stream is supplied as fuel to fire the reformer, along with a portion (<10%) of the tail gas, to produce a CO2-lean flue gas (<3 vol %, dry basis). The flue gas is optionally cooled below a dew point to form condensate, which can be collected and removed. The methanol production can have a carbon efficiency of 97% or more, and a CO2 emissions reduction (compared to natural gas firing) of 88% or more.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.