Methanol Intermediate Storage for Single-Column Purity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methanol production processes face challenges in adapting to fluctuating energy availability and renewable raw material inputs, particularly in the purification stage, leading to inefficiencies and limited process dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A method involving temporary storage of methanol intermediates in tanks with varying purities, coupled with a single distillation column that adjusts its operation based on energy availability and demand, allowing for flexible production of methanol with required purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If methanol is produced directly from renewable raw materials with fluctuating energy availability, then the process adapts to renewable energy sources, but the methanol purity becomes inconsistent and requires complex purification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by producing methanol intermediate product with varying purity during different operational phases and storing it in tanks before final purification. The system performs preliminary separation and storage operations to prepare the methanol for final distillation, allowing the purification process to handle fluctuating inputs more effectively and maintain consistent product purity despite variations in renewable energy availability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple distillation columns are used to ensure consistent methanol purity, then the product purity is maintained, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the methanol purification process into distinct operational phases: an first phase producing methanol intermediate with varying purity, and a second phase performing final distillation to achieve consistent product purity. This temporal and functional segmentation allows a single distillation column to handle variable inputs effectively, avoiding the need for multiple columns while maintaining product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses methanol intermediate product as an intermediary substance that bridges the variable-quality output from renewable raw materials and the high-purity final product. This intermediate product with its varying purity serves as a buffer and mediator, allowing the final distillation column to operate more efficiently and maintain consistent output quality without requiring complex pre-treatment systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If methanol is stored in tanks to smooth out production fluctuations, then the process flexibility improves, but the storage capacity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a flexible control system that dynamically adjusts the operation of the distillation column and storage tanks based on real-time conditions such as renewable energy availability and product demand. The system can adaptively manage tank filling and emptying operations, optimizing the use of storage capacity without requiring excessively large tanks, thereby achieving process flexibility with reasonable storage requirements.
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
Enables efficient production of methanol with consistent purity despite fluctuating energy conditions, reducing energy consumption and enhancing process flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The purified methanol is stored and sold as a product or used as a starting material for the production of other chemicals
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for producing a methanol product (20) is proposed, which comprises providing crude methanol (12) containing methanol and water, providing a methanol intermediate product (16) having a methanol content that fluctuates over time using the crude methanol (12), feeding the methanol intermediate product (16) into a tank arrangement (B), and providing the methanol product (20) comprising withdrawing the methanol intermediate product (16) stored in the tank arrangement (B), wherein the withdrawal of the methanol intermediate product (16) stored in the tank arrangement (B) is controlled such that the methanol product (20) has a methanol content within a predetermined range. A corresponding system is also proposed.