Process and plant for producing methanol

US8471076B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lurgi GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Dierk Müller · Karben, DE
• Andreas Bormann · Frankfurt am Main, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 18, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 25, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 17, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2208/0053
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In the production of methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, the synthesis gas is passed through a first, preferably water-cooled reactor, in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The obtained mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, preferably gas-cooled reactor, in which a further part of the carbon oxides is converted to methanol. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the synthesis gas, and the synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. To achieve a maximum methanol yield even with an aged catalyst, a partial stream of the synthesis gas is guided past the first reactor and introduced directly into the second reactor.