Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the start-up of an autothermal reformer, wherein syngas is produced in the autothermal reformer during start-up through steam reforming. To facilitate autoignition in the autothermal reformer reactor of the autothermal reformer, the reformed syngas is recycled to an upstream section of the autothermal reformer reactor and is mixed with process steam and a hydrocarbon containing process stream. As soon as a minimum hydrogen threshold concentration at the upstream section of the autothermal reformer reactor is reached in the mixed process stream, oxygen is added to the burner of the ATR reactor to obtain autoignition of the mixed process stream. Due to the process of the invention, an external hydrogen source for facilitating autoignition of the mixed stream can be omitted. The invention further relates to a plant configured to carry out the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention specifies a process and a plant for simultaneous production of methanol and pure carbon monoxide which includes synthesis gas production by partial oxidation of an input stream containing hydrocarbons and subsequent methanol synthesis. According to the invention carbon dioxide is separated from the raw synthesis gas using a sorption apparatus and at least partially introduced into the input gas for the methanol synthesis reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol, wherein a make-up gas stream from a reformer unit is admixed with a hydrogen-containing stream from a hydrogen recovery stage to obtain a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, which is combined with a residual gas stream and the combined stream is passed through a bed of a methanol synthesis catalyst at elevated pressure and elevated temperature to obtain a product stream comprising methanol and the residual gas stream and wherein the product stream is cooled to remove methanol from the residual gas stream. Wherein a portion of the residual gas stream is removed as a purge gas stream and a portion of the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas stream is removed and combined with the purge gas stream to obtain a mixed synthesis gas stream and the mixed synthesis gas stream is sent to the hydrogen recovery stage to produce the hydrogen-containing stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing pure methanol, wherein the crude methanol stream discharged from a methanol synthesis unit is decompressed in a decompression vessel, is subsequently at least partially freed of low-boiling by-products in a prerun column and is then supplied to a single- or multi-stage methanol purification apparatus from which a pure methanol product stream is finally discharged. According to the invention the tops product stream from the prerun column is subjected to a scrubbing step with a methanol-selective scrubbing medium, thus at least partially recovering methanol present and sending a methanol-depleted tops product stream to the offgas disposal apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing pure methanol, wherein the crude methanol stream discharged from a methanol synthesis unit is decompressed in a decompression vessel, is subsequently at least partially freed of low-boiling by-products in a prerun column and is then supplied to a single- or multi-stage methanol purification apparatus from which a pure methanol product stream is finally discharged. According to the invention the tops product stream from the prerun column is subjected to a scrubbing step with a methanol-selective scrubbing medium, thus at least partially recovering methanol present and sending a methanol-depleted tops product stream to the offgas disposal apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the start-up of an autothermal reformer, wherein syngas is produced in the autothermal reformer during start-up through steam reforming. To facilitate autoignition in the autothermal reformer reactor of the autothermal reformer, the reformed syngas is recycled to an upstream section of the autothermal reformer reactor and is mixed with process steam and a hydrocarbon containing process stream. As soon as a minimum hydrogen threshold concentration at the upstream section of the autothermal reformer reactor is reached in the mixed process stream, oxygen is added to the burner of the ATR reactor to obtain autoignition of the mixed process stream. Due to the process of the invention, an external hydrogen source for facilitating autoignition of the mixed stream can be omitted. The invention further relates to a plant configured to carry out the process of the invention.