Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methanol and its products exclusively from a geothermal source as the sole source material also using the needed energy from the geothermal energy source. The method includes separating or isolating carbon dioxide accompanying hot water or steam of the source, generating hydrogen from the water and subsequently preparing methanol from the carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The methanol can be further converted into dimethyl ether or other products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic solid catalyst for carrying out a heterogeneous catalytic chemical reaction in a reaction fluid which flows through the catalyst and comprises at least one educt, wherein the catalyst has at least one passage opening for the reaction fluid to flow through the catalyst. In order to obtain a larger and targeted yield and selectivity of the sought reaction products with a smaller design of the reactors, smaller energy feed and smaller reaction pressures and/or lower reaction temperatures, it is proposed according to the invention that, to increase the effectiveness of the chemical reaction, the catalyst has at least one mechanical oscillator by which, while carrying out the chemical reaction, the catalyst can be subjected to a mechanical frequency in the range of from 20 kHz to 2 GHz.

Abstract: In a process for converting synthesis gas to methanol, gas is introduced through an inlet of a tubular reactor. Reactants pass downwardly through at least one reactor tube to an upper surface of a catalyst carrier and into a passage defined by an inner perforated wall of a carrier container before passing radially through the catalyst bed towards a perforated outer container wall. Reaction occurs as synthesis gas contacts the catalyst. Unreacted reactant and product pass out of the container through the outer container wall and then upwardly between the inner surface of a container skirt and an outer annular container wall, and then over the end of the skirt and downwardly between the outer surface of the skirt and the inner surface of the reactor tube where heat transfer takes place. The steps are repeated at any subsequent catalyst carrier and then product is removed from the reactor outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods for converting carbon dioxide and/or methane into higher alkanes and hydrogen gas in a single reaction chamber using a catalyst and microwave radiation.

Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.

Abstract: In various implementations, methanol is produced using a (CO+H2) containing synthesis gas produced from a combined PDX plus EHTR or a combined ATR plus EHTR at a pressure of 70 bar to 100 bar at the correct stoichiometric composition for methanol synthesis so that no feed gas compressor is required for the feed to the methanol synthesis reactor loop.

Abstract: A process for producing a purified synthesis gas stream from a feed synthesis gas stream comprising besides the main constituents carbon monoxide and hydrogen also hydrogen sulphide, HCN and/or COS, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting one part of the feed synthesis gas stream with a water gas shift catalyst in a shift reactor in the presence of water and/or steam to react at least part of the carbon monoxide to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to obtain a shifted synthesis gas stream enriched in hydrogen and in carbon dioxide; (b) contacting another part of the feed gas stream with a hydrolysis catalyst in the presence of water to remove HCN and/or COS to obtain a hydrolysed synthesis gas stream depleted in HCN and/or COS; (c) removing H2S from the shifted synthesis gas stream and from the hydrolysed synthesis gas stream by contacting these gas streams in a H2S-removal zone with an aqueous alkaline washing liquid to obtain a H2S-depleted synthesis gas stream and a sulphide-comprising aqueous strea

Abstract: A method for starting up a bubble column slurry bed reactor of the present invention includes, when restarting operation of a bubble column slurry bed reactor for producing hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, feeding a hydroprocessed oil produced in the bubble column slurry bed reactor and hydroprocessed that contains 40% by mass or more of paraffin hydrocarbons having carbon number of 21 or more and that has a peroxide value of 1 ppm or less, to the bubble column slurry bed reactor.

Abstract: There is provided a synthesis reaction system which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid and which extracts the hydrocarbon compound from the slurry. The synthesis reaction system includes a reactor main body which accommodates the slurry, a separator which separates the hydrocarbon compound included in the slurry from the slurry, a first flow passage which allows the slurry including the hydrocarbon compound to flow to the separator from the reactor main body, a second flow passage which allows the slurry to flow to the reactor main body from the separator, and a fluid supply nozzle which supplies a fluid toward at least any one of the separator, the first flow passage, and the second flow passage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of hydrocarbon products from a methane comprising feedstock comprising of the steps of: preparing a feed syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a hydrogen/carbon monoxide molar feed ratio in a syngas manufacturing process and using the feed syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch process using one or more fixed bed catalyst beds as present in one or more syngas conversion reactors thereby obtaining the hydrocarbon product and an residual tail gas. The manufacturing process comprises of two parallel operated syngas manufacturing processes starting from the same gaseous methane comprising feedstock.

Abstract: Process for producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) which is provided in an energy-efficient way at the inlet pressure into a downstream pipeline system. For this purpose, a synthesis gas containing carbon oxides and hydrogen is converted into a product gas rich in methane by multi-stage catalytic methanation in a main reaction zone and a post-reaction zone, wherein the adjustment of the target pressure is effected by compression before the main reaction zone and/or before or in the post-reaction zone.

Abstract: Enhanced mixed metal catalysts are provided which allow high conversions of carbon dioxide to methane, in some cases up to about 100% conversion. Methods of preparing enhanced mixed metal catalysts comprise a series of steps involving combining nickel and chromium salts with a nucleation promoter in a base environment to form a gel, allowing the gel to digest to form a solid and a mother liquor, isolating the solid, washing the solid, drying the solid, and thermally treating the solid to form a nickel-chromium catalyst. Methanation processes using the catalysts are also provided. The enhanced mixed metal catalysts provide more efficient conversion and lower operating temperatures for carbon dioxide methanation when compared to conventional methanation catalysts. Additionally, these enhanced catalyst formulations allow realization of higher value product from captured carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for removing water from an alcohol mixture, such as an ethanol mixture in the production of ethanol by hydrogenating acetic acid. The water is removed from a distillate of a first column using an adsorption unit, membrane, extractive column distillation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing transportation fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, from syngas with a low H2/CO ratio. The syngas is first converted to dimethyl ether which is then converted to gasoline by way of a dimethyl ether to gasoline process and to diesel fuel by way of a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesising hydrocarbons starting from a feedstock containing synthesis gas. In the process a solid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is employed in a three-phase reaction section operated so that the catalyst is maintained in suspension in a liquid phase by the circulation of a gaseous phase from the bottom to the top of the reaction section. The process utilizes conditions to control and maintain the homogeneity of the concentration of catalyst particles in the reaction section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for operating a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, wherein a feed gas comprising CO and H2 from coal gasification (1) is desulfurized and subsequently fed into a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as an input gas, wherein hydrocarbons are formed from carbonic oxides and hydrogen by catalytic reactions. The hydrocarbons are separated as liquid products (4), and a gas flow comprising CO and CO2 exiting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit (3) is compressed and fed into a conversion stage, wherein CO and steam are transformed into H2 and CO2. In the method according to the invention, the gas exiting the conversion stage is fed back into the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit as a gas rich in H2, together with the desulfurized input gas, after the gas is prepared in that CO2 and/or further components other than H2 are removed.

Abstract: A hybrid plant and method for producing liquid fuel product from hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing streams produced by gasifying solid carbonaceous feedstock and steam reforming of light fossil fuels. When a gasification unit in the hybrid plant is operating at reduced capacity or is not operational, oxygen that would have been used in the gasification unit is diverted to a light fossil fuel conversion unit containing an autothermal reformer to increase H2-rich syngas flow to a liquid fuel production unit and maintain liquid fuel production at near nameplate capacity.

Abstract: There is provided a method for recovering hydrocarbon compounds from a gaseous by-products generated in the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method comprising a pressurizing step in which the gaseous by-products are pressurized, a cooling step in which the pressurized gaseous by-products are pressurized to liquefy hydrocarbon compounds in the gaseous by-products, and a separating step in which the hydrocarbon compounds liquefied in the cooling step are separated from the remaining gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A process for regenerating one or more deactivated cobalt comprising Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particle(s), comprising the steps of: (i) oxidizing the catalyst particle(s) at a temperature between 20 and 400° C.; (ii) treating the catalyst particle(s) for more than 5 minutes, (iii) drying the catalyst particle(s); and (iv) optionally reducing the catalyst particle(s) with hydrogen or a hydrogen comprising gas. This process may be preceded by a step in which Fischer-Tropsch product is removed from the catalyst particle(s). The treatment is performed using carbon dioxide and a liquid comprising ammonia.

Abstract: There is provided a method for recovering hydrocarbon compounds from gaseous by-products generated in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. The method includes absorbing light hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas from the gaseous by-products using an absorption solvent including liquid hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas absorbent, separating the absorption solvent which has absorbed the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas into the liquid hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas absorbent, heating the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds to recover the light hydrocarbon compounds from the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds, heating the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent to strip the carbon dioxide gas from the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent, and reusing the gaseous by-products from which the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas are absorbed as a feedstock gas for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.

Abstract: In a catalyst carrier for insertion in a tube of a reactor, an annular container holds the catalyst in use and has a perforated inner wall defining a tube, a perforated outer wall, a top surface closing the annular container and a bottom surface closing the annular container. A surface closes the bottom of the tube formed by the inner wall of the annular container. A skirt extends upwardly from the perforated outer wall of the annular container from a position at or near the bottom surface to a position below the location of a seal located at or near the top surface and extending from the container by a distance which extends beyond an outer surface of the skirt.

Abstract: In a process for producing hydrocarbons according to the present invention, estimated production rates for a light hydrocarbon oil and a heavy hydrocarbon oil are respectively determined based on a set reaction temperature used when the hydrocarbons are synthesized by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, and the discharge flow rates of the light hydrocarbon oil and the heavy hydrocarbon oil from temporary storage buffer tanks (91, 92) during supply to a fractionator (40) are respectively controlled so as to be equal to the respective estimated production rates.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one product from at least one gaseous reactant includes feeding the gaseous reactant, as a gaseous feed or as part of a gaseous feed which is at an inlet superficial gas velocity of at least 0.5 m/s, into a vessel holding an expanded slurry bed of solid catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid so that the gaseous reactant can bubble upwardly through the slurry bed. The slurry bed has a catalyst loading of at least 20% by volume of degassed slurry. The gaseous reactant s allowed to react catalytically at a pressure above atmospheric pressure as the gaseous reactant bubbles upwardly through the slurry bed to produce at least one product. The product and any unreacted gaseous reactant are withdrawn from the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.

Abstract: A Sabatier process involving contacting carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a first reaction zone with a first catalyst bed at a temperature greater than a first designated temperature; feeding the effluent from the first reaction zone into a second reaction zone, and contacting the effluent with a second catalyst bed at a temperature equal to or less than a second designated temperature, so as to produce a product stream comprising water and methane. The first and second catalyst beds each individually comprise an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate. An apparatus for controlling temperature in an exothermic reaction, such as the Sabatier reaction, is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of lower olefins by the conversion of a feed stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and catalysts as used therein, such as a Fischer-Tropsch process. By virtue of the invention, lower olefins can be formed from synthesis gas, with high selectivity, and low production of methane. The catalysts used herein comprise an ?-alumina support, and a catalytically active component that comprises iron-containing particles dispersed onto the support in at least 1 wt. %. The majority of the iron-containing particles is in direct contact with the ?-alumina and is well-distributed thereon. Preferably, the iron-containing particles have an average particle size below 30 nm, and most preferably below 10 nm. The supported catalysts not only show a high selectivity, but also a high catalyst activity and chemical and mechanical stability.

Abstract: A method for starting up a bubble column slurry bed reactor of the present invention includes, when restarting operation of a bubble column slurry bed reactor for producing hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, feeding a hydroprocessed oil produced in the bubble column slurry bed reactor and hydroprocessed that contains 40% by mass or more of paraffin hydrocarbons having carbon number of 21 or more and that has a peroxide value of 1 ppm or less, to the bubble column slurry bed reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one product from at least one gaseous reactant includes feeding the gaseous reactant, as a gaseous feed or as part of a gaseous feed which is ax an inlet superficial gas velocity of at least 0.5 m/s, into a vessel holding an expanded slurry bed of solid catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid so that the gaseous reactant can bubble upwardly through die slurry bed. The slurry bed has a catalyst loading of less than 14% by volume of degassed slurry. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react catalytically at a pressure above atmospheric pressure as the gaseous reactant bubbles upwardly through the slurry bed to produce at least one product. The product and any unreacted gaseous reactant are withdrawn from the vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the conversion of carbon containing feedstock to a liquid chemical product, particularly a liquid fuel product, wherein carbon dioxide emissions are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a hydrocarbon oil by performing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction using a reactor for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis including a reaction apparatus having a slurry containing catalyst particles and a gaseous phase located above the slurry to obtain a hydrocarbon oil, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is performed while controlling a temperature of the slurry so that a difference T2?T1 between the average temperature T1 of the slurry and a temperature T2 at the liquid level of the slurry in contact with the gaseous phase is 5 to 30° C.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent particulate wax-containing cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst is provided. The process includes subjecting the spent wax-containing catalyst sequentially to a dewaxing treatment, an oxidation treatment and a reduction treatment. During the dewaxing treatment, the spent wax-containing catalyst is at least partially dewaxed, with dewaxed catalyst particles being produced. During the oxidation treatment, an oxygen-containing gas is passed through a bed of the dewaxed catalyst particles at an operating temperature T° C. where 150<T<450, and the operating temperature is controlled by removing heat from the catalyst particle bed using a cooling device, to obtain oxidized catalyst particles. During the reduction treatment, the oxidized catalyst particles are reduced, thereby regenerating the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for estimating a particulate content in a slurry of the present invention is a method for estimating a content of particulates having a predetermined particle size or less in a slurry with solid particles dispersed in hydrocarbons including a wax, the method including, based on a correlation between a visible light transmittance and a content of solid particles having the predetermined particle size or less at a temperature at which hydrocarbons including a wax are liquefied when the solid particles having the predetermined particle size or less are dispersed in the hydrocarbons, estimating a content of particulates having the predetermined particle size or less in the slurry from a visible light transmittance of a supernatant part when the slurry is left to stand at the temperature.

Abstract: Streams (11) of natural gas contaminated with significant amounts of carbon dioxide can be efficiently and economically processed to create Syngas (16). An available source (1) of flue gas that might otherwise be dispersed into the atmosphere in conjunction with such a CO2-laden natural gas stream (11) renders the process even more economical and efficient through the creation of multiple feedstreams (14, 27, 34) that are combined to deliver a composite near equal mixture of methane and CO2 to a plasma reactor (15) or the like that will generate Syngas. When coupled with a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (40), the overall process provides a particularly efficient and economical process for producing synthetic liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing methanol, dimethyl ether, and low carbon olefins from syngas, wherein the process comprises the step of contacting syngas with a catalyst under the conditions for converting the syngas into methanol, dimethyl ether, and low carbon olefins, characterized in that, the catalyst contains an amorphous alloy consisting of a first component Al and a second component, said second component being one or more elements or oxides thereof selected from Group IA, IIIA, IVA, VA, IB, IIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, and Lanthanide series of the Periodic Table of Elements, and said second component being different from the first component Al. According to the present process, the syngas can be converted into methanol, dimethyl ether, and low carbon olefins in a high CO conversion, a high selectivity of the target product, and high carbon availability.

Abstract: Mixed alcohols are produced from syngas. The syngas is provided to a catalyst in a reactor at selected temperatures and pressures. Reactive products, including mixed alcohols, are removed from the reactor. Non-reactive components are removed from the mixed alcohols of their reaction products. At least part of the non-reactive components are reintroduced in the reactor along with syngas. The non-reactive components are a solvent or a super critical fluid. The non-reactive components can be reintroduced into the reactor with reactive components such as methanol or CO2.

Abstract: A process for reducing the carbon oxide content in natural gas, by producing a carbon oxide containing natural gas from a geological formation through a natural gas delivery system; providing a reaction zone containing at least one catalyst suitable for hydrocarbon conversion in the natural gas delivery system; introducing hydrogen into the carbon oxide containing natural gas to form a reaction mixture; and passing the reaction mixture to the catalyst in the reaction zone to convert at least a portion of the carbon oxides in the natural gas to hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for generating light olefins, methane and other higher-value gaseous hydrocarbons from “liquid” heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst precursor includes forming a slurry of particles of an insoluble metal compound, where the metal of the insoluble metal compound is an active catalyst component, with particles and/or one or more bodies of a pre-shaped catalyst support in a carrier liquid. The particles of the insoluble metal compound are thus contacted with the particles and/or the one or more bodies of the pre-shaped catalyst support. A treated catalyst support is thereby produced. Carrier liquid is removed from the slurry to obtain a dried treated catalyst support, which either directly constitutes the catalyst precursor, or is optionally calcined to obtain the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transition metal nano-catalyst, a method for preparing the same, and a process for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using the catalyst. The transition metal nano-catalyst comprises transition metal nanoparticles and polymer stabilizers, and the transition metal nanoparticles are dispersed in liquid media to form stable colloids. The transition metal nano-catalyst can be prepared by mixing and dispersing transition metal salts and polymer stabilizers in liquid media, and then reducing the transition metal salts with hydrogen at 100-200° C. The process for F-T synthesis using the nano-catalyst comprises contacting a reactant gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen with the catalyst and reacting. In addition, the transition metal nanoparticles have smaller diameter and narrower diameter distribution, which is beneficial to control product distribution. Meanwhile, the catalyst can be easily separated from hydrocarbon products and reused.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.

Abstract: A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds is described, comprising the steps of (i) heating the synthesis gas and (ii) passing at least part of the heated synthesis gas and steam through a reactor containing a sour shift catalyst, wherein the synthesis gas is heated by passing it through a plurality of tubes disposed within said catalyst in a direction co-current to the flow of said synthesis gas through the catalyst. The resulting synthesis gas may be passed to one or more additional reactors containing sour shift catalyst to maximize the yield of hydrogen production, or used for methanol production, for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons or for the production of synthetic natural gas.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of ethanol and/or higher alcohols comprising the steps of: (a) providing an alcohol synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a molar ratio of higher than 0.5; (c) adding an amount of methanol and/or higher alcohols to the synthesis gas to obtain a synthesis gas mixture. (d) converting the synthesis gas mixture from step (c) in presence of one or more catalysts catalysing the conversion of the synthesis gas mixture into a ethanol and/or higher alcohols containing product; and (e) withdrawing the product from step (d), wherein the synthesis gas is purified by removing iron and nickel carbonyl compounds prior or after the addition methanol and/or higher alcohols to the synthesis gas and optionally (I) cooling the withdrawn product in step (e); and (g) contacting the cooled product with a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons includes: a synthesis step of synthesizing hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction using a slurry bubble column reactor having a slurry containing catalyst particles and liquid hydrocarbons retained inside the reactor, and having a gas phase portion located above the slurry; a discharging step of passing the slurry through a filter positioned inside and/or outside the reactor, thereby separating and discharging the heavy liquid hydrocarbons; a backwash step of flushing liquid hydrocarbons through the filter in the opposite direction to the flow of the slurry, thereby returning the catalyst particles to the reactor; and a cooling and gas-liquid separation step of cooling the hydrocarbons discharged from the gas phase portion, and then separating and collecting the condensed light liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process including the steps of providing a reactor having a substrate element with a surface and a plurality of elongated micro-structures of catalyst material attached to the substrate surface The catalyst material includes at least one of cobalt, iron, or ruthenium and the micro-structures have a width of less than about 1 um and a length at least five times the width. A carbon compound and hydrogen are injected into the reactor such that at least a portion of the carbon compound and hydrogen contact the catalyst material. The carbon compound and hydrogen are reacted with the catalyst at a temperature between about 150° F. and about 400° F.

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: Configurations, systems, and methods for a gas-to-liquids plant are presented in which the energy demand for natural gas reformation is provided at least in part by biomass gasification to reduce or eliminate net carbon emissions. Preferred plants, systems, and methods may recycle various process streams to further reduce water demand, improve the hydrogen/carbon ratio of a feed stream to a Fischer-Tropsch process, and recover and/or recycle carbon dioxide.

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: The method for stopping operation of a reactor is provided with a stop step of stopping supply of a synthesis gas containing a carbon monoxide gas and a hydrogen gas into the reactor; a slurry discharge step of discharging slurry from the reactor; a steam supply step of supplying steam higher in temperature than the decomposition temperatures of metal carbonyls into the reactor, thereby discharging gaseous matters inside the reactor; and a carbon monoxide gas detecting step of detecting an amount of carbon monoxide gas contained in the gaseous matters discharged from the reactor. In the steam supply step, supply of the steam is stopped when an amount of the detected carbon monoxide gas continuously declines to be lower than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: Methods for converting a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid transportation fuel are described. The methods may include converting the carbon-containing feedstock into a producer gas comprising H2, CO, CO2, and N2, and reacting the producer gas with a substrate catalyst to produce a combination of Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) products, the F-T products including the fluid transportation fuel. A portion of the F-T products may be catalytically cracked to produce additional amounts of the fluid transportation fuel. A portion of the F-T products may also be hydrogenated to produce additional amounts of the fluid transportation fuel. Apparatuses are also described or converting a carbon-containing feedstock into a fluid transportation fuel. The apparatuses may include a producer gas reactor, a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, a cracking reactor, and a hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes at least two membrane separation steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the first membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.