Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from natural gas containing methane comprising the thermal decomposition of methane and the subsequent reaction of the resulting hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide in a catalyst containing methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. Alternative methods include the gasification with carbon dioxide of at least a portion of the carbon produced by the decomposing step, to produce carbon monoxide, which is then reacted with hydrogen gas to produce methanol; or the reforming of a portion of the natural gas feedstock used in the decomposing step with carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are then combined with additional hydrogen from the natural gas decomposing step in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The methods taught reduce the overall amount of carbon dioxide resulting from the methanol production process.

Abstract: An intergrated recycle process for the production of methanol from a process synthesis gas produced by hydrogasification of a condensed carbonaceous feedstock to produce a process gas which is reacted in a steam pyrolysis reactor with additional natural gas and steam to produce said synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in more than a 2:1 molar ratio which constituents in turn are reacted in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The important factor in this process includes the sequence of reactors of the condensed carbonaceous material: a hydrogasification reactor; the stream and natural gas pyrolysis reactor; the methanol synthesis reactor and the recycling to the hydrogasification reactor of the hydrogen-rich gas stream remaining after the methanol synthesis and separation of the methanol product.

Abstract: An intergrated recycle process for the production of methanol from a process synthesis gas produced by hydrogasification of a condensed carbonaceous feedstock to produce a process gas which is reacted in a steam pyrolysis reactor with additional natural gas and steam to produce said synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in more than a 2:1 molar ratio which constituents in turn are reacted in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The important factor in this process includes the sequence of reactors of the condensed carbonaceous material: a hydrogasification reactor; the stream and natural gas pyrolysis reactor; the methanol synthesis reactor and the recycling to the hydrogasification reactor of the hydrogen-rich gas stream remaining after the methanol synthesis and separation of the methanol product.