Abstract: An instrument comprising a housing (30) having a fluid-tight seal and a probe (10), adapted to carry a catalyst or sorbent (37), for monitoring a process fluid stream or the behavior of a catalyst or sorbent placed therein. The use of such an instrument permits investigation of catalyst or sorbent behavior in process fluid streams without the need for process shut down or construction of separate process equipment.

Abstract: An instrument comprising a housing (30) having a fluid-tight seal and a probe (10), adapted to carry a catalyst or sorbent (37), for monitoring a process fluid stream or the behavior of a catalyst or sorbent placed therein. The use of such an instrument permits investigation of catalyst or sorbent behavior in process fluid streams without the need for process shut down or construction of separate process equipment.

Abstract: The purge gas from a methanol synthesis loop is subjected to a further step of methanol synthesis, preferably while in indirect heat exchange with the purge gas undergoing heating to the synthesis inlet temperature so that the reacted purge gas, containing synthesized methanol, leaves the synthesis catalyst at a temperature below the maximum temperature achieved by the reacting purge gas during passage over the catalyst.The synthesis loop can be operated less efficiently, eg at a lower pressure or with added carbon dioxide, than is conventional since the additional methanol produced from the purge gas compensates for the loss of loop efficiency.The addition of the purge gas synthesis stage enables existing plants to be uprated by lowering the loop pressure, thus enabling a greater throughput through the synthesis gas compressor to be achieved.