A carbonylation reactor for the production of ethanol from methanol

By optimizing the feed location and atomization method of the methanol-to-ethanol reactor using fluid stirring technology, the problems of sealing leakage and high energy consumption associated with mechanical stirring were solved, achieving efficient gas-liquid contact and mass transfer processes, and improving reaction efficiency and ethanol selectivity.

CN224345913UActive Publication Date: 2026-06-12SHANGHAI REZEL KEHUA ENG DESIGN CO LTD
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
SHANGHAI REZEL KEHUA ENG DESIGN CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-07-09
Publication Date
2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Mechanical stirring in traditional methanol carbonylation reactors for ethanol production suffers from problems such as easy leakage from sealed surfaces, high energy consumption, high maintenance costs, and poor reliability, especially under high pressure conditions.

Method used

Fluid stirring is used instead of mechanical stirring. The design of dual CO inlet, gas distributor and two-fluid nozzle achieves efficient atomization and uniform distribution of methanol. The combination of methanol loop and CO loop arrangement improves gas-liquid contact area and mass transfer efficiency.

Benefits of technology

It eliminates the risk of mechanical seal leakage, reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs, improves reaction efficiency and ethanol selectivity, and enhances gas-liquid contact area and mass transfer efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224345913U_ABST
    Figure CN224345913U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This invention discloses a carbonylation reactor for methanol-to-ethanol production, relating to the field of methanol-to-ethanol technology. It primarily addresses the problem that traditional carbonylation reactors often rely on mechanical stirring to enhance gas-liquid mass transfer. The tank-shaped reactor contains a CO loop connected to a central CO inlet. An inner ring of the CO loop is connected to a methanol inlet. Multiple two-fluid nozzles are positioned below the CO and methanol loops, respectively connected to the CO and methanol loops. A gas distributor is horizontally positioned below the two-fluid nozzles. This invention provides a carbonylation reactor for methanol-to-ethanol production that uses fluid stirring instead of mechanical stirring, eliminating the risk of mechanical seal leakage and reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art