Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing methanol from a synthesis gas is provided. The method includes (i) producing, in a partial oxidation chamber, the synthesis gas having a stoichiometric number of less than 1.8 by performing a partial oxidation process with a hydrocarbon stream and an oxygen stream, (ii) passing, in a water-gas shift reactor, the synthesis gas over a water-gas shift catalyst to convert at least a portion of carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (iii) producing a dry, shifted synthesis gas by separating liquid condensate from shifted synthesis gas, (iv) combining, in a recycle compressor, the dry, shifted synthesis gas with a recycle synthesis gas comprised of unreacted synthesis gas and a hydrogen rich product to form a mixed synthesis gas stream, and (v) converting, in a cooled methanol synthesis reactor, at least a portion of the mixed synthesis gas stream into methanol.

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: 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: A method and apparatus for producing methanol from a synthesis gas is provided. The method includes (i) producing, in a partial oxidation chamber, the synthesis gas having a stoichiometric number of less than 1.8 by performing a partial oxidation process with a hydrocarbon stream and an oxygen stream, (ii) passing, in a water-gas shift reactor, the synthesis gas over a water-gas shift catalyst to convert at least a portion of carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (iii) producing a dry, shifted synthesis gas by separating liquid condensate from shifted synthesis gas, (iv) combining, in a recycle compressor, the dry, shifted synthesis gas with a recycle synthesis gas comprised of unreacted synthesis gas and a hydrogen rich product to form a mixed synthesis gas stream, and (v) converting, in a cooled methanol synthesis reactor, at least a portion of the mixed synthesis gas stream into methanol.

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 invention relates to a process and a plant for the methanol synthesis, in particular for the methanol synthesis from a synthesis gas which has a hydrogen deficiency. According to the invention, a purge gas stream therefor is branched off from the synthesis gas circuit of the methanol synthesis, liberated from methanol traces in a washing device, and then treated in a hydrogen separation device which comprises a membrane separation stage and a pressure swing adsorption stage. Depending on the application and magnitude of the hydrogen deficit the membrane separation stage and the pressure swing adsorption stage can be connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for the methanol synthesis, in particular for the methanol synthesis from a synthesis gas which has a hydrogen deficiency. According to the invention, a purge gas stream therefor is branched off from the synthesis gas circuit of the methanol synthesis, liberated from methanol traces in a washing device, and then treated in a hydrogen separation device which comprises a membrane separation stage and a pressure swing adsorption stage. Depending on the application and magnitude of the hydrogen deficit the membrane separation stage and the pressure swing adsorption stage can be connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: For producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides the synthesis gas is passed through a first, water-cooled reactor in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The resulting mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, 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 synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. The cooling gas flows through the second reactor cocurrent to the mixture withdrawn from the first reactor.

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.

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.

Abstract: For producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides the synthesis gas is passed through a first, water-cooled reactor in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The resulting mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, 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 synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. The cooling gas flows through the second reactor cocurrent to the mixture withdrawn from the first reactor.