Methanol production plant and methanol production method

Abstract

A methanol production plant is disclosed, comprising a synthesis system comprising one or more synthesis reactors configured to catalytically convert syngas to methanol, the synthesis system configured to synthesize methanol in a synthesis loop; an extraction system configured to extract a purge stream from the synthesis loop; a combustion system configured to combust at least part of the purge stream, the combustion system comprising one or more pilot lights; and a fluid conduit system configured to supply the purge stream to the combustion system, wherein the combustion system is further configured to supply a portion of the purge stream to at least one of the one or more pilot lights, and wherein at least one of the one or more pilot lights is configured to use the supplied portion of the purge stream as fuel. Also disclosed is a method for producing methanol from syngas and a pilot light for a combustion system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a methanol production apparatus and a method for producing methanol from syngas, particularly a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing methanol from syngas. Furthermore, this invention relates to ignition lamps for combustion systems and combustion systems including ignition lamps, such as flares or thermal oxidizers. Background Technology

[0002] Methanol has a variety of uses, such as as a basic chemical and a promising energy carrier / storage system. Ethanol can be produced from a variety of carbon-based feedstocks, typically indicated by colors specifying the type of feedstock used: "brown methanol" is produced using coal, "gray methanol" using natural gas, "blue methanol" using captured carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the environment, and "green methanol" using biomass or using captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen—hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources; in the latter case, green methanol is called "e-methanol."

[0003] Green methanol production offers the highest degree of carbon neutrality among the aforementioned methanol production methods. Due to its greater environmental appeal, green methanol, especially electronic methanol, is an ideal product.

[0004] Methanol production units convert carbon oxides into methanol via thermocatalytic hydrogenation to synthesize methanol (CH3OH). For example, CO and / or CO2 can be converted through any of the following reactions:

[0005]

[0006] The components of the reaction are provided in the form of syngas, a gas mixture containing carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, or both carbon oxides, and hydrogen. Methanol synthesis can take place in a so-called synthesis loop, where unreacted carbon oxides and hydrogen are recycled and partially reused. In the synthesis loop, so-called "inert" components accumulate, such as nitrogen, argon, and methane. These components are not inert themselves, but are considered inert in a certain sense because they cannot react within the synthesis loop. To avoid the accumulation of inert components, a purge stream is extracted from the synthesis loop in any well-known manner. For example, a purge gas line can be connected to the recirculation stream. In some cases, the extracted purge stream may simply be emitted, i.e., discharged from the production unit as waste gas. However, in the case of a methanol synthesis loop, the purge stream contains the greenhouse gas CO2, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the gas in the purge stream is typically burned off, also known as flared or combusted gas. However, the combustion of the purge stream may mean that the only use of the purge stream is to generate heat, which may then be distributed. As an alternative or supplement, the purge stream can be treated to separate components, such as hydrogen, for use elsewhere. Other uses for the purge stream extracted from the methanol synthesis loop are desirable.

[0007] Against this backdrop, despite previous efforts, there is still a desire to provide an improved method for producing methanol, such as a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing methanol from syngas, and a methanol production apparatus that addresses one or more of the aforementioned problems and / or other problems, and / or has other benefits, or at least provides an alternative to existing solutions.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved methanol production apparatus.

[0009] Further improvements are expected to be made to provide a more environmentally friendly methanol production facility.

[0010] It is further desirable to provide an improved methanol production apparatus and method that utilizes an extracted purge stream or a partially extracted purge stream.

[0011] Further, it is desired to provide an improved method for producing methanol, and in particular an improved method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing methanol from syngas.

[0012] In particular, it is desirable to provide an improved method for producing green methanol or electronic methanol. Summary of the Invention

[0013] This disclosure relates to different aspects, each of which produces one or more benefits and advantages described in conjunction with one or more other aspects, and each of which has one or more embodiments corresponding to the embodiments described in conjunction with one or more other aspects and / or disclosed in the appended claims.

[0014] According to one aspect, this document discloses an implementation scheme for a methanol production plant, which includes: - A synthesis system comprising one or more synthesis reactors configured to catalytically convert syngas into methanol, the synthesis system being configured to synthesize methanol in a synthesis loop. - An extraction system configured to extract a purge stream from the synthesis loop. - A combustion system configured to combust at least a portion of the purge stream, the combustion system including one or more ignition lamps; and - A fluid conduit system configured to supply the purge flow to the combustion system. The combustion system is further configured to supply a portion of the purge stream to at least one of one or more ignition lamps, and wherein at least one of the one or more ignition lamps is configured to use a portion of the supplied purge stream as fuel.

[0015] In methanol production facilities that produce green methanol, the hydrogen and carbon oxides in the syngas are obtained using biomass or by using captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. In some embodiments, the methanol production facility is configured to produce green methanol. If green methanol is produced using captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen (i.e., hydrogen produced using electricity obtained from renewable energy sources), the produced methanol may be referred to as electronic methanol. For example, green hydrogen can be produced by water electrolysis, where the electrolysis is powered by solar energy, such as electricity generated by solar panels. In some embodiments, the methanol production facility is configured to produce electronic methanol.

[0016] The combustion system may include one or more combustion units of any suitable type, such as one or more flares and / or one or more thermal oxidizers. In some embodiments, the combustion system includes one or more flares and / or one or more thermal oxidizers. The combustion unit is adapted to burn a purge stream in which the gas is rich in hydrogen. The combustion system also includes one or more ignition lamps, which are ignition sources for more powerful combustion units, such as those used for thermal oxidizers or flares. Preferably, the one or more ignition lamps are dedicated ignition lamps. A dedicated ignition lamp is an ignition lamp configured to use or "process" syngas, and therefore it is generally not capable of processing "normal fuels" such as propane, NG (natural gas), etc. See also below. Each ignition lamp is characterized by including a single nozzle. When the device is in normal operation, i.e., when the synthesis loop is running and the purge stream is being extracted from the synthesis loop, the combustion system is configured to supply a portion of the purge stream to at least one of the one or more ignition lamps included in the combustion system, wherein the ignition lamp receiving the portion of the purge stream is configured to use the supplied portion of the purge stream as fuel. A portion of the purge stream may be the entire purge stream, i.e., the whole section. The combustion system can be configured to supply at least one of one or more ignition lamps with a purge stream of approximately 20% to 100% of the extracted gas, for example, a purge stream of approximately 35% to 100% of the extracted gas, or a purge stream of approximately 45% to 100% of the extracted gas. The extraction system can be configured to extract the purge stream continuously or intermittently. Therefore, advantageously, when the methanol production unit is operating normally, the purge gas will be used as fuel for the ignition lamps, which will reduce the consumption of other types of fuels (such as propane) used for the ignition lamps. Since the purge stream will burn anyway, the purge gas is a free fuel. If the purge stream originates from captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen, any carbon dioxide emissions are neutral, while if the purge stream originates from bio-based carbon dioxide and green hydrogen, the carbon dioxide emissions from the methanol production unit are entirely or almost entirely bio-based. In contrast, if another fuel, such as propane, natural gas, and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), is used as ignition lamp fuel, the methanol production unit may emit fossil carbon dioxide.

[0017] Ignition lamps in the combustion system of a methanol production unit can be configured for substantially continuous combustion to ensure the combustion system is ready for emergencies or other needs. In emergencies, the combustion system in a methanol production unit is often further configured to burn gases under abnormal process conditions, such as emergency shutdowns, fires, etc., which may require the release of large quantities of gas. Since the synthesis loop may not operate continuously, the methanol production unit may also include ignition lamp fuel tanks, such as propane tanks, natural gas tanks, and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tanks, from which secondary fuel for one or more ignition lamps can be supplied, for example, where the secondary fuel can be propane, natural gas, and / or LPG. In some embodiments, the ignition lamp fuel tank is configured to store fuel for one or more of the one or more ignition lamps, so that at least one ignition lamp can be configured to use secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel. This allows at least one ignition lamp to burn substantially continuously during unit operation. Therefore, although the fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank is stored in the tank before use, a portion of the purge stream supplied to the ignition lamp can be supplied shortly after the purge stream is extracted. As an alternative or supplement, a portion of the purge stream supplied to the ignition lamp may have been stored before being supplied as fuel to the ignition lamp. Furthermore, the purge stream can be set by the system (or method) independently of any requirements of the fuel / combustion system. Ignition lamps may typically require a certain calorific value to provide a stable flame. The purge gas composition and calorific value can be determined by the upstream system and do not require adjustment to match a standard ignition lamp system. Instead, ignition lamps are dedicated ignition lamps specifically designed and configured to handle a range of syngas components so that the ignition lamp can operate with a predetermined, desired composition without adjusting the upstream system to meet the ignition lamp requirements. This ensures optimized purge of the upstream process, rather than alternating purge streams or adding hydrogen to match the specific purge gas composition required by the ignition lamp.

[0018] In some embodiments, the combustion system is configured to supply fuel from an ignition lamp fuel tank to at least one ignition lamp, which is configured to use secondary fuel only when the supplied portion of the purge stream is insufficient to fuel the at least one ignition lamp. Therefore, the methanol production unit may be configured to use a portion of the extracted purge stream as fuel for at least one ignition lamp when the purge stream is available in sufficient quantity and quality, and to use fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel for at least one ignition lamp when the purge stream is insufficient in quantity and quality. The combustion system may be configured to stop supplying fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank when it is determined that the extracted purge stream is sufficient to fuel one or more ignition lamps. For example, when it is determined that the purge stream is available to fuel one or more ignition lamps, the combustion system may be configured to stop supplying fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank.

[0019] Control of the fuel flow to one or more ignition lamps can include mechanical control, such as via valves and conduits, and / or computational control, such as by circuitry or a processing system configured to make determinations, such as determining the quantity and / or quality of the purge flow. The processing system can include any circuitry and / or devices suitable for performing the functions described herein. In particular, the processing system can include general-purpose or special-purpose programmable microprocessor units, such as a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processing unit (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic array (PLA), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), special-purpose electronic circuitry, etc., or combinations thereof, of a computer or other data processing system.

[0020] If the combustion system includes multiple ignition lamps, these two or more ignition lamps may be part of different combustion units within the combustion system, or one or more combustion units within the combustion system may include one or more ignition lamps. A combustion unit may be, for example, a torch or a thermal oxidizer.

[0021] A single ignition lamp can be configured to use a portion of the purge stream as fuel, or to be fueled by secondary fuel in the ignition lamp fuel canister. Therefore, in some embodiments, at least one of the one or more ignition lamps is a multi-combustion ignition lamp configured to be fueled by either the supplied purge stream or secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel canister. The combustion system can be configured such that fuel is supplied from the ignition lamp fuel canister to at least one multi-combustion ignition lamp primarily or only when the supplied purge stream is insufficient. Therefore, in some embodiments, the combustion system is configured to supply fuel from the ignition lamp fuel canister to at least one multi-combustion ignition lamp when the supplied purge stream is insufficient, e.g., only when the supplied purge stream is insufficient.

[0022] In some implementations, the combustion system includes two or more ignition lamps, and in addition to the ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a purge stream, at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel, for example, if the supplied purge stream is insufficient.

[0023] According to another aspect, a method for producing methanol from syngas is provided, the method comprising the following steps: - The synthesis gas is supplied to a synthesis system configured to synthesize methanol from the synthesis gas in a synthesis loop. - Extract the purge flow from the synthesis loop. - The purge stream is supplied to a combustion system, which includes one or more ignition lamps. - To provide a portion of the purge flow as fuel for at least one of the one or more ignition lamps.

[0024] In some embodiments, the syngas comprises carbon oxides obtained from biomass and / or captured carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the syngas further comprises green hydrogen.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method further includes supplying secondary fuel from an ignition lamp fuel canister to at least one of one or more ignition lamps, the at least one ignition lamp using the supplied secondary fuel as fuel.

[0026] In some implementations, the method further includes determining whether the purge stream is sufficient to fuel at least one ignition lamp configured to be fueled by the purge stream, for example, whether the purge stream is available.

[0027] In some implementations, the step of supplying secondary fuel also includes using secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel for the ignition lamp when the supplied purge stream is insufficient to serve as fuel for the ignition lamp.

[0028] In some implementations, the combustion system includes one or more flares and / or one or more thermal oxidizers.

[0029] In some implementations, at least one of the one or more ignition lamps is a multi-combustion ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a supplied purge stream or secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank.

[0030] In some embodiments, the combustion system includes two or more ignition lamps, and at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel in the event of insufficient purge flow, and at least one ignition lamp is configured to use a portion of the purge flow as fuel.

[0031] According to another aspect, a methanol production apparatus is provided, configured to perform the steps of the method for producing methanol from syngas disclosed herein.

[0032] According to another aspect, an ignition lamp is provided for a combustion system configured to burn a purge stream extracted from a methanol synthesis loop, wherein the ignition lamp is configured to be fueled by the purge stream or a secondary fuel (e.g., propane, natural gas, and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)).

[0033] According to another aspect, a combustion system is provided configured to burn a purge stream extracted from a methanol synthesis loop (e.g., or preferably, provided in or by other aspects), the combustion system including an ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a portion of the purge stream or by a secondary fuel (e.g., propane, natural gas, and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)).

[0034] In some embodiments of the above aspect, the purge stream is a hydrogen-rich purge stream.

[0035] In the aspects disclosed herein, terms and features refer to terms and features that have the same names in other aspects, and thus the description and explanation of terms and functions given in one aspect are applicable to other aspects with appropriate modifications. Additional aspects, embodiments, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The preferred embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of components of a methanol production unit according to some embodiments is shown, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a method for producing methanol from syngas according to some embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of components of a methanol production unit according to some embodiments is shown. The methanol production unit is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 and includes a synthesis system 21, a methanol storage unit 23, a combustion system 25, and an ignition lamp fuel tank 29.

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Arrows are used to indicate fluid flow. Fluid conduit systems can be used to guide fluids; these systems include pipes, valves, and other known components for the fluid conduit system. The synthesis system includes one or more synthesis reactors (not shown) configured to catalytically convert syngas into methanol, and possibly, into methanol and water. The synthesis system is configured to synthesize methanol in a synthesis loop, wherein unreacted carbon oxides and hydrogen are recycled and partially reused.

[0039] Syngas 3 is supplied to synthesis system 21. Traditionally, syngas is produced through the gasification of coal, a process that can generate numerous air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. A more environmentally friendly method for producing syngas is to use captured carbon dioxide mixed with hydrogen, such as green hydrogen.

[0040] If the carbon oxides in the syngas are primarily CO2, such as captured CO2, the conversion produces a mixture of methanol and water. A distillation system (not shown) can be used to separate methanol from the mixture. After a purification process, such as methanol distillation and / or other purification processes, the purified / distilled methanol 5 is sent to a methanol storage unit 23 configured to store methanol. The methanol can later be distributed from the storage unit, for example, as fuel or as a base chemical in the manufacture of another product.

[0041] When methanol is produced from syngas in the synthesis loop, unreacted syngas may accumulate as it circulates in the loop, and "inert" components may build up. To mitigate this accumulation, the extraction system is configured to extract purge stream 7 from the synthesis loop, i.e., to purge a certain amount of gas from the gas circulating in the synthesis loop.

[0042] In conventional methanol production plants, the purge stream is combusted in an integrated flame heater or furnace. However, this option is not available in methanol production plants without an integrated flame heater or furnace, such as electronic methanol production plants. A fluid conduit system supplies purge stream 7 to combustion system 25. The combustion system may include one or more combustion units (not shown), such as one or more flares and / or one or more thermal oxidizers. A combustion unit is a combustion unit suitable for burning the gas contained in purge stream 7, and possibly other gases. Each combustion unit includes one or more ignition lamps 27, which are ignition sources for more powerful combustion units. Preferably, the one or more ignition lamps are dedicated ignition lamps, specifically designed and configured to handle a range of syngas components, so that the ignition lamps can operate with the desired composition without requiring adjustments to the upstream system to match the ignition lamp requirements.

[0043] Ignition lamps can typically operate on demand, intermittently, continuously, or a combination of these methods. In methanol production plants, the combustion unit's ignition lamps may be part of the plant's safety measures to ensure the combustion unit is always ready.

[0044] The combustion system supplies a portion of the purge stream 9 to the ignition lamp 27, which is configured to use the supplied portion of the purge stream as fuel, while any remaining portion of the purge stream is sent to the combustion unit for combustion. In other words, the purge stream supplied to the combustion system is separated and partially supplied to the ignition lamp and partially to the combustion chamber of the combustion unit, such as the combustion unit to which the ignition lamp belongs. A portion of the purge stream supplied to the ignition lamp is used as fuel for the ignition lamp.

[0045] The ignition lamp 27 can also be configured to be fueled by secondary fuel obtained from the ignition lamp fuel tank 29. The secondary fuel can be propane or other suitable fuels, such as natural gas and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Therefore, the ignition lamp 27 can be a multi-combustion ignition lamp, which can be fueled by two or more sources. This allows the ignition lamp 27 to operate in a continuous combustion manner, as it is independent of the sufficiency of purge gas, such as its availability and quality. The ignition lamp can be connected to the ignition lamp fuel tank 29 via a conduit (e.g., a gas conduit), thereby allowing the secondary fuel 11 to be delivered to the ignition lamp.

[0046] Combustion system 25 may include one or more sensing units for controlling the flow of fuel to ignition lamp 27. For example, the combustion system may include a first sensing system 13 connected to a fluid conduit system upstream of ignition lamp 27 and downstream of where a portion of the purge stream separates from the remainder. The first sensing system may include, for example, a volumetric flow meter configured to monitor the flow rate of purge gas to ignition lamp. Furthermore, the first sensing system 13 may include one or more sensing units adapted to measure one or more characteristics of the extracted purge stream, such as composition, the presence of one or more components, temperature, pressure, etc. Measurements performed by the first sensing system 13 can be used for one or more determinations, such as determining the sufficiency of a portion of the purge stream as fuel.

[0047] Furthermore, the combustion system may include a second sensing system 15 connected to the fluid conduit system, positioned upstream of the ignition lamp 27 and downstream of the ignition lamp fuel canister 29. The second sensing system may include, for example, a volumetric flow meter configured to monitor the flow rate of secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel canister toward the ignition lamp. Additionally, the second sensing system 15 may include one or more sensing units adapted to determine characteristics of the secondary fuel, such as composition, the presence of one or more components, temperature, pressure, etc., while the secondary fuel is still in the canister 29 or flowing toward the ignition lamp. Measurements performed by the second sensing system 15 may be used for one or more determinations, such as determining the flow rate of secondary fuel toward the ignition lamp 27.

[0048] Furthermore, the combustion system may include a third sensing system 15 connected upstream of a fluid conduit system at a separation point, where a portion of the purge stream is separated from the remainder for use as fuel, and connected downstream of an extraction point, where the purge gas is extracted from the synthesis loop. The third sensing system may include, for example, a volumetric flow meter configured to monitor the purge stream flow rate. Additionally, the third sensing system 15 may include one or more sensing units suitable for determining characteristics of the purge stream, such as composition, the presence of one or more components, temperature, pressure, etc. Measurements performed by the third sensing system 15 can be used for one or more determinations, such as determining the sufficiency of the extracted purge stream as fuel.

[0049] Combustion system 25 may also include a control system (not shown) configured to control the fuel flow to ignition lamp 27. The control system may include mechanical controls, such as valves and piping, and / or computational controls, such as one or more circuits or processing systems. The control system may be configured to make determinations, such as determining the quantity and / or quality of the purge flow. The control system may be connected to the first and / or second and / or three-sensor systems 13, 15, 17 and configured to obtain information about the purge flow and / or fuel from or within the ignition lamp fuel tank. For example, the control system may be configured to control the flow rate of the purge flow, such as the flow rate to the ignition lamp, and / or the flow rate of fuel from the fuel tank to the ignition lamp, and may do so based on one or more determinations, such as one or more determinations based on information obtained from the first and / or second sensor systems. If the control system determines that the purge flow supplied to the combustion system is insufficient, i.e., insufficient to supply fuel to the ignition lamp, it may shut off the purge flow supply line and open the fuel supply line from the ignition lamp fuel tank to the ignition lamp. Alternatively, in this scenario, the control system can open the line supplying secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank to the ignition lamp while keeping the purge flow line open and monitoring the purge flow line. The fuel supply line to the ignition lamp can be part of a fluid conduit system.

[0050] If the ignition lamp is configured to burn two or more fuel sources simultaneously, the control system can regulate the flow rate from each fuel source, such as the purge stream and secondary fuel, to the ignition lamp. For example, the ignition lamp can be configured to burn the purge stream or secondary fuel, or a combination thereof. Therefore, the control system can be configured to regulate the flow rate from each fuel source to supply fuel from a single fuel source or to optimize the composition of the combined fuel supplied to the ignition lamp. Thus, the ignition lamp 27 can be configured to operate using purge gas or secondary fuel (such as propane, natural gas, LPG, etc.) or a combination of both fuel sources. Ideally, the ignition lamp 27 requires little or no fossil fuel to operate, allowing it to run almost entirely or completely on the purge stream. When the ignition lamp is fueled solely by the purge stream, no more fossil fuel-generated CO2 is introduced into the atmosphere, only carbon-neutralized CO2; thus, the amount of fossil fuel-generated CO2 released from the methanol production unit is reduced or eliminated.

[0051] Figure 2 An embodiment of the combustion system 25 of the methanol production apparatus 1 is shown, which can be... Figure 1 Alternatives to the illustrated implementation scheme may also be found with Figure 1 The aforementioned implementation scheme is used together. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Common elements are numbered the same. exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the combustion system 25 includes a first ignition lamp 27' and a second ignition lamp 27'". The first ignition lamp 27' is configured to receive purge gas from the synthesis circuit and can be adapted to use only the purge gas (or other gases with similar composition) as fuel. The second ignition lamp 27' is configured to be fueled by secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank 29. The secondary fuel can be a fossil fuel such as propane, natural gas, and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). The second ignition lamp 27' can be designed to be used only with the fossil fuel received from the ignition lamp fuel tank 29 and can be a conventional ignition lamp.

[0052] The first and second ignition lamps can be part of the same combustion unit, such as located in the same torch or thermal oxidizer. The first and second ignition lamps can operate simultaneously or one at a time.

[0053] If sufficient purge gas is supplied to the first ignition lamp 27' to fuel its associated combustion unit, the second ignition lamp 27" may not operate. Alternatively, if there is no purge gas or insufficient purge gas is available to fuel the first ignition lamp, the second ignition lamp can be operated and can provide all the energy to fuel its associated combustion unit.

[0054] Therefore, in some embodiments, the first and second ignition lamps are part of the same combustion unit, and the combustion unit is configured to operate both ignition lamps simultaneously to provide the necessary energy to the combustion unit. Alternatively, the first and second ignition lamps are part of different combustion units.

[0055] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of a method for producing methanol from syngas according to some embodiments is shown. In step S31, syngas is supplied to a synthesis system configured to synthesize methanol from the syngas in a synthesis loop. Therefore, the synthesis system is configured to synthesize methanol in a synthesis loop, wherein unreacted carbon oxides and hydrogen are recycled and partially reused.

[0056] Syngas may include carbon oxides obtained from biomass and / or captured carbon dioxide, and may also include green hydrogen. The synthesis system may be as described herein.

[0057] In step S32, a purge stream is extracted from the synthesis loop. Purge from the synthesis loop reduces the accumulation of "inert" components that could otherwise be generated by unreacted synthesis gas circulating in the loop.

[0058] In step S34, a purge stream is supplied to a combustion system comprising one or more ignition lamps. A fluid conduit system may supply the purge stream to the combustion system. The combustion system may include one or more combustion units, such as one or more flares and / or one or more thermal oxidizers. The combustion units are adapted to burn the gases contained in the purge stream and may also burn other gases. Each combustion unit includes one or more ignition lamps, which serve as the ignition source for more powerful combustion units. The combustion system may be as described herein.

[0059] In step S35, a portion of the purge stream is supplied as fuel to at least one of the one or more ignition lamps. A portion of the purge stream can be the entire purge stream, i.e., the whole section. Therefore, the portion of the purge stream is used as fuel for the ignition lamp, while any remaining purge stream supplied to the combustion system is burned.

[0060] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a method for producing methanol from syngas according to some embodiments is shown.

[0061] Steps S41, S42, S44, and S45 can be combined as follows: Figure 3 The steps S31, S32, S34 and S35 are described. In step S43, it is determined whether the extracted purge stream is sufficient to fuel an ignition lamp configured to be fueled by the purge stream, for example, whether the purge stream is available.

[0062] In step S45, secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel canister is supplied to at least one of one or more ignition lamps. When the supplied purge stream is insufficient as fuel for the ignition lamp, at least one ignition lamp uses the supplied secondary fuel as fuel. In some embodiments, the ignition lamp receiving the purge stream and the ignition lamp receiving secondary fuel are the same ignition lamp, and this ignition lamp is a multi-combustion ignition lamp configured to be fueled by either the supplied purge stream or secondary fuel from the ignition lamp's fuel tank. The multi-combustion ignition lamp can be as described herein.

[0063] In some embodiments, the combustion system includes two or more ignition lamps, and at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel in the event of insufficient purge flow, and at least another ignition lamp is configured to use a portion of the purge flow as fuel.

[0064] It should be emphasized that the term "comprising / including" as used in this specification is used to specify the presence of the said feature, element, step or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components or combinations thereof.

[0065] List of reference numerals 1 (Partial) Methanol Production Unit 3 Syngas 5 Methanol 7. Purge Flow 9 o'clock, the lamp is blown to purge the fuel. 11 o'clock ignition lamp secondary fuel 13 First Sensing System 15 Second Sensing System 17 Third Sensing System 21 Synthesis System 23 Methanol Storage Unit 25 Combustion System 27 Lights 29 ignition lamp fuel canister

Claims

1. A methanol production apparatus, comprising: - A synthesis system comprising one or more synthesis reactors configured to catalytically convert syngas into methanol, the synthesis system being configured to synthesize methanol in a synthesis loop. - An extraction system configured to extract a purge stream from the synthesis loop. - A combustion system configured to combust at least a portion of the purge stream, the combustion system including one or more ignition lamps; and - A fluid conduit system configured to supply the purge flow to the combustion system. The combustion system is further configured to supply a portion of the purge stream to at least one of one or more ignition lamps, and wherein at least one of the one or more ignition lamps is configured to use a portion of the supplied purge stream as fuel.

2. The methanol production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The methanol production unit also includes an ignition lamp fuel tank, such as a propane tank, a natural gas tank, and / or an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tank, the ignition lamp fuel tank being configured to store fuel for one or more of the one or more ignition lamps, and wherein at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel.

3. The methanol production apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The combustion system is configured to supply fuel from the fuel tank of the at least one ignition lamp to the at least one ignition lamp configured to use secondary fuel when a portion of the supplied purge stream is insufficient as fuel for the at least one ignition lamp.

4. The methanol production apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one of the one or more ignition lamps is a multi-combustion ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a supplied purge stream or secondary fuel from the ignition lamp's fuel tank.

5. The methanol production apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The combustion system includes two or more ignition lamps, and in addition to the ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a purge stream, at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the fuel tank of the ignition lamp as fuel.

6. A method for producing methanol from a syngas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, the method comprising: - The synthesis gas is supplied to a synthesis system configured to synthesize methanol from the synthesis gas in a synthesis loop. - Extract the purge flow from the synthesis loop. - The purge stream is supplied to a combustion system, which includes one or more ignition lamps. - Provide a partial purge flow as fuel for at least one of the one or more ignition lamps.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: - Secondary fuel is supplied from the ignition lamp fuel tank to at least one of the one or more ignition lamps, and the at least one ignition lamp uses the supplied secondary fuel as fuel.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The method further includes: determining whether the extracted purge stream is sufficient to fuel at least one ignition lamp configured to be fueled by the purge stream, for example, whether the purge stream is available, and wherein the step of supplying secondary fuel further includes: when the supplied purge stream is insufficient as fuel for the ignition lamp, using secondary fuel from the ignition lamp fuel tank as fuel for the ignition lamp.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein, At least one of the one or more ignition lamps is a multi-combustion ignition lamp configured to be fueled by a supplied purge stream or secondary fuel from the ignition lamp's fuel tank.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein, The combustion system includes two or more ignition lamps, and at least one ignition lamp is configured to use secondary fuel from the fuel tank of the ignition lamp as fuel when the supplied purge flow is insufficient, and at least one ignition lamp is configured to use a portion of the purge flow as fuel.

11. An ignition lamp for a combustion system configured to burn a purge stream extracted from a methanol synthesis circuit, wherein, The ignition lamp is configured to use one or two of the following as fuel: purge stream and / or secondary fuel (e.g., propane, natural gas and / or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)).

12. The ignition lamp according to claim 11, wherein, The purge flow is provided by the method according to any one of claims 6-10.

13. The methanol production apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, the method according to any one of claims 6-10, and / or the ignition lamp according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The gas in the purge stream is rich in hydrogen, thus the purge stream is a hydrogen-rich purge stream.

14. The methanol production apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, the method according to any one of claims 6-10, and / or the ignition lamp according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The one or more ignition lamps are dedicated ignition lamps configured to process a range of syngas components, thereby enabling the ignition lamps to operate with a predetermined expected composition.

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