Method for converting natural gas and carbon dioxide to methanol and reducing CO.sub.2 emissions
US5767165A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C29/1518
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the production of methanol from natural gas containing methane comprising the thermal decomposition of methane and the subsequent reaction of the resulting hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide in a catalyst containing methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. Alternative methods include the gasification with carbon dioxide of at least a portion of the carbon produced by the decomposing step, to produce carbon monoxide, which is then reacted with hydrogen gas to produce methanol; or the reforming of a portion of the natural gas feedstock used in the decomposing step with carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are then combined with additional hydrogen from the natural gas decomposing step in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The methods taught reduce the overall amount of carbon dioxide resulting from the methanol production process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.