Methanol Production via CO/CO2 Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Partial oxidation reforming methods for producing methanol from natural gas result in a high CO/CO2 ratio, leading to abrupt temperature rises that burden production apparatuses and accelerate their deterioration, making them unsuitable for industrial processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a reforming step using partial oxidation, a CO/CO2 ratio reduction step to lower the CO/CO2 ratio in the reformed gas, and a producing step to synthesize methanol, with optional pressure boosting and heat recovery, using CO2 recovery from utility exhaust gases and shift reactions to maintain a controlled temperature and reduce apparatus burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If partial oxidation reforming is used to produce methanol from natural gas, then the production efficiency is improved, but the CO/CO2 ratio becomes too high causing abrupt temperature rise that burdens the production apparatus and accelerates deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the CO/CO2 ratio of the reformed gas before it enters the methanol synthesis reactor. A ratio adjustment unit modifies the gas composition in advance to ensure that when the gas is introduced into the production apparatus, the exothermic reaction does not cause abrupt temperature rises, thereby preventing thermal burden on the apparatus while maintaining high productivity
2Productivity
If partial oxidation reforming is used to produce methanol, then production efficiency is improved, but the high CO/CO2 ratio causes abrupt temperature rise that accelerates deterioration of the production apparatus and catalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the CO/CO2 ratio before methanol synthesis to prevent excessive temperature rise during reaction. This advance control protects the production apparatus and catalyst from thermal stress and acceleration of deterioration, thereby extending their service life while maintaining high production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by monitoring the CO/CO2 ratio and adjusting it through the ratio adjustment unit to maintain optimal values for methanol synthesis. This feedback mechanism ensures that the reaction proceeds under controlled conditions, preventing temperature excursions that would damage the apparatus and catalyst, thus improving reliability
3Productivity
If the CO/CO2 ratio in reformed gas is high, then partial oxidation reforming is efficient, but the temperature rises abruptly when reformed gas is supplied to methanol production apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the CO/CO2 ratio parameter of the reformed gas through the ratio adjustment unit. By changing this compositional parameter before synthesis, the system maintains the efficiency benefits of partial oxidation reforming while controlling the temperature rise during methanol production, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and temperature control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method reduces the thermal burden on methanol production apparatuses, improves production efficiency, and extends their lifespan by controlling temperature and optimizing CO/CO2 ratios, allowing for more efficient and sustainable methanol production.
Implementation Method 1
a reforming step of obtaining a reformed gas by subjecting a raw material gas containing methane to partial oxidation reforming by use of oxygen
Implementation Method 2
a CO/CO2 ratio reducing step of reducing a CO/CO2 ratio in the reformed gas
Implementation Method 3
a producing step of obtaining a produced gas containing methanol from the reformed gas after the CO/CO2 ratio reducing step
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing methanol includes obtaining reformed gas by subjecting raw material gas containing methane to partial oxidation reforming by use of oxygen; reducing a CO/CO2 ratio in the reformed gas; and obtaining produced gas containing methanol from the reformed gas with the reduced CO/CO2 ratio by using any of a fixed-bed reactor and an isothermal reactor.