Method and plant for the production of methanol

US9040594B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Bormann · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Veronika Gronemann · Karben, DE
• Rainer Morgenroth · Friedrichsdorf, DE
• Jan Hagemann · Gießen, DE
• Holger Schlichting · Hofheim, DE
• Philipp Marius Hackel · Usingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2010
• Grant date: May 26, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/152
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides with a high content of inert components includes passing the synthesis gas through a synthesis reactor so as to catalytically convert a part of the carbon oxides to methanol. The methanol is separated from the obtained mixture from the reactor. The mixture liberated from methanol is separated into a cycle stream and a purge stream. The cycle stream is recirculated so as to form a synthesis circle and combined with a fresh gas stream including hydrogen and carbon oxides before being charged into the synthesis reactor. The purge stream is supplied to a secondary reactor so as to catalytically convert a further part of the hydrogen and carbon oxides to methanol. Further methanol is separated the obtained mixture including synthesis gas, inert components and methanol vapor.