Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit comprising a heat exchange reformer and autothermal reformer in series; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in the heat exchange reformer and one or more further stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas to form a make-up gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in one or more stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) passing a feed gas comprising a make-up gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a methanol synthesis loop, (ii) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, (iii) cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, (iv) separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture, (v) passing a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and (vi) recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream, characterised by contacting the crude methanol and a portion of the purge gas in a stripping unit to strip dissolved gases from the crude methanol thereby forming a stripped crude methanol and an enriched gas mixture, and feeding at least a portion of the enriched gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in one or more stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) forming a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming unit comprising a heat exchange reformer and autothermal reformer in series; (ii) cooling the synthesis gas in the heat exchange reformer and one or more further stages of heat exchange, and recovering process condensate from the cooled synthesis gas to form a make-up gas; (iii) passing a feed gas comprising the make-up gas to a methanol synthesis loop comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors; (iv) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, and separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture; and (v) recycling a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream.

Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol is described comprising the steps of (i) passing a feed gas comprising a make-up gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a methanol synthesis loop, (ii) recovering a product gas mixture containing methanol from the methanol synthesis loop, (iii) cooling the product gas mixture to below the dew point to condense crude methanol, (iv) separating the crude methanol from an unreacted gas mixture, (v) passing a portion of the unreacted gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop and (vi) recovering a portion of the unreacted gas mixture as a purge gas stream, characterised by contacting the crude methanol and a portion of the purge gas in a stripping unit to strip dissolved gases from the crude methanol thereby forming a stripped crude methanol and an enriched gas mixture, and feeding at least a portion of the enriched gas mixture to the methanol synthesis loop.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a distributor or collector in a radial-flow reaction vessel is described, comprising an open end and a plurality of rigid columnar portions, each columnar portion comprising a cylindrical outer screen formed from parallel spaced wires and a perforate inner screen fixed to the outer screen, said inner screen formed from a plurality of adjacent perforate support members that support the spaced wires, wherein the rigid columnar portions further comprise means for controlling a flow of a gaseous process fluid to or from the device. The device may be used in radial-flow vessels used in chemical processes such as methanol synthesis.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a distributor or collector in a radial-flow reaction vessel is described, comprising an open end and a plurality of rigid columnar portions, each columnar portion comprising a cylindrical outer screen formed from parallel spaced wires and a perforate inner screen fixed to the outer screen, said inner screen formed from a plurality of adjacent perforate support members that support the spaced wires, wherein the rigid columnar portions further comprise means for controlling a flow of a gaseous process fluid to or from the device. The device may be used in radial-flow vessels used in chemical processes such as methanol synthesis.

Abstract: A process for improving the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas stream to a synthesis loop, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a purge stream comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a synthesis loop; (b) separating hydrogen from the purge stream; (c) passing the purge stream to a reformer and reacting with steam and oxygen to produce a stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (d) subjecting the reformed reaction product stream to a shift reaction to produce a stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen; (e) subjecting the product stream from the shift reaction to separation to separate hydrogen from carbon dioxide; (f) supplying the separated hydrogen to the synthesis loop; and (g) removing the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for improving the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas stream to a synthesis loop, comprising the steps of: (a)removing a purge stream comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a synthesis loop; (b)separating hydrogen from the purge stream; (c)passing the purge stream to a reformer and reacting with steam and oxygen to produce a stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (d)subjecting the reformed reaction product stream to a shift reaction to produce a stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen; (e)subjecting the product stream from the shift reaction to separation to separate hydrogen from carbon dioxide; (f)supplying the separated hydrogen to the synthesis loop; and (g)removing the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: In a process for distillation, in a distillation column, of a crude stream of methanol produced from synthesis gas, fusel oil is removed from the distillation column as a vapour side draw from a point in the distillation column below the feed, and the vapour side draw is substantially free of alkali. A process for the production of methanol utilising this distillation process is also described.

Abstract: A process for use in equilibrium exothermic gas phase reactions comprising the steps of (a) providing a recycle stream with the addition of make-up gas, to form a feed gas stream; (b) heating the feed gas stream; (c) passing the heated feed gas stream to a first reactor containing a catalyst for the exothermic gas phase reactions at conditions suitable for the reaction; (d) removing a product stream comprising product and unreacted gases from the first reactor; (e) cooling and partially condensing the product stream to form a gas phase and a liquid phase; (f) separating the liquid phase containing the desired product from the product stream and removing said liquid phase; (g) separating the gas phase from the product stream to form a gas stream; (h) optionally mixing the gas stream from the product stream with additional make-up gas; (i) heating the gas stream; (j) passing the heated gas stream to a final reactor containing a catalyst for the exothermic gas phase reactions at conditions suitable for the react

Abstract: The invention provides a method of loading a granulated solid into a vessel (1) having a containment zone for the granulated solid. This comprises providing in a bottom portion of the containment zone a first substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6) having a horizontal cross section large enough to accommodate an operative's body. Support means (7,8) is associated with the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion upon which an operative can stand. Granulated solid is charged into the containment zone so as to distribute granulated solid around the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6), charging being discontinued before the upper surface of the granulated solid in the containment zone reaches the top of the substantially vertical rigid columnar portion (6).

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor and process for exothermic vapour phase reaction, wherein the reactor (1; 101) comprises a pressure vessel (2; 102) having an inlet (3;103) for reactant(s) and an outlet (4; 104) for products; a plurality of beds (5; 105) with heterogeneous catalyst, each bed supported by a catalyst support grating (6; 106); a vapour collection chamber (9; 109) and a vapour redistribution chamber (10; 110) between successive pair(s) of beds for redistribution of vapourous reaction mixture over the inlet of the next bed; a diaphragm (11; 111) separating the vapour collection chamber (9; 109) from the vapour redistribution chamber; at least one pair of nested trough members extending at least partially across the diaphragm, each comprising an inner trough member (14; 114) having one or more apertures (18; 118), an outer trough (20; 120) having one or more apertures (21; 121) and a quench gas conduit (15; 115) provided with apertures (17; 117); the apertures (18; 118; 21; 121; 17; 117) arranged to provide

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of methanol from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: contacting a vaporous mixture comprising the feedstock and steam in a steam reforming zone with a catalyst effective for catalysis of at least one reforming reaction; recovering from the reforming zone a synthesis gas mixture comprising carbon oxides, hydrogen and methane; supplying material of the synthesis gas mixture to a methanol synthesis zone charged with a methanol synthesis catalyst and maintained under methanol synthesis conditions; recovering from the methanol synthesis zone a product gas mixture comprising methanol and unreacted material of the synthesis gas mixture; supplying material of the product gas mixture to a methanol recovery zone maintained under methanol recovery conditions; recovering from the methanol recovery zone a crude methanol product stream and a vaporous steam comprising unreacted material of the synthesis gas mixture; separating material of the synthesis gas mixtur

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a synthesis gas mixture containing carbon oxides and hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock material comprising: providing a reforming zone having a plurality of chambers charged with a catalyst effective for catalysis of at least one reforming reaction; supplying to the chambers of the reforming zone a vaporous mixture of the hydrocarbon feedstock and a reforming reagent; maintaining the reforming zone under suitable reforming conditions for reforming of the hydrocarbon feedstock and reforming reagent to form the synthesis gas mixture by supplying to the reforming zone a fuel for heating the chambers by combustion and by supplying to the steam reforming zone a vaporous steam comprising combustion oxygen in which the fuel may be combusted; humidifying the vaporous steam comprising combustion oxygen; exchanging heat between the humidified vaporous steam comprising combustion oxygen entering the reforming zone and the synthesis gas mixture exiting th