Process and plant for producing methanol

US8629190B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lurgi GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Hans Kopetsch · Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 29, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 14, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 10, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2219/0004
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

For producing 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, and the resulting 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. The mixture withdrawn from the first reactor is guided through a gas/gas heat exchanger in which the mixture is cooled to a temperature below its dew point. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the gas stream in a methanol separator and withdrawn, while the remaining gas stream is supplied to the second reactor.