Pressure Swing Adsorption for Methanol Synthesis Gas Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The synthesis gas produced by waste treatment systems is unsuitable for direct conversion into liquid fuels like methanol using conventional methods, as it has an imbalance of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that adjust the ratio of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the effluent gas using a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system to produce a gaseous mixture suitable for catalytic conversion into methanol and other liquid fuels, involving heating and exposure to a catalyst at specific pressures and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catalytic conversion methods are used on synthesis gas from waste treatment systems, then liquid fuels like methanol can be produced, but the conversion fails due to imbalance of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of synthesis gas components (H2, CO, CO2) to the optimal range of 1.8-2.2 before catalytic conversion. This pre-adjustment ensures the gas composition is suitable for methanol synthesis, preventing conversion failure and improving both reliability and productivity of liquid fuel production.
2Reliability
If the stoichiometric ratio of synthesis gas is adjusted to the optimal range of 1.8-2.2, then catalytic conversion to methanol becomes successful, but additional processing steps and equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting the stoichiometric ratio parameter of synthesis gas to fall within the optimal range of 1.8-2.2. This parameter optimization enables reliable catalytic conversion to methanol while managing the complexity through focused adjustment of a key compositional parameter rather than complete system redesign.
3Device complexity
If synthesis gas with stoichiometric number less than 1 is directly converted, then the process is simple, but the conversion to liquid fuels fails due to unsuitable gas composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of synthesis gas to the optimal range of 1.8-2.2 before catalytic conversion. This pre-processing step, while adding some complexity, ensures successful liquid fuel production and prevents complete conversion failure, thereby improving overall productivity.
4Reliability
If agricultural feedstocks are used for methanol production, then renewable fuel can be produced, but high costs are incurred in producing the agricultural feedstocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting waste materials (a harmful or useless substance) into valuable liquid fuels like methanol. This approach transforms waste treatment from a cost center into a productive resource, simultaneously achieving renewable fuel production and waste disposal while avoiding the high feedstock costs associated with agricultural-based methods.
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
Successfully converts organic waste streams into usable liquid fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and di-methyl ether by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the synthesis gas and using commercially available catalytic reactors, overcoming the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
A method and apparatus that adjust the ratio of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the effluent gas using a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system
Implementation Method 2
involving heating and exposure to a catalyst at specific pressures and temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for converting organic waste feed streams into usable liquid fuels by adjusting the ratio of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the effluent gas of a high temperature waste treatment system. A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit is used to remove carbon dioxide from the effluent gas of a high temperature waste treatment system, while leaving carbon monoxide and hydrogen, thereby producing a gas stream amenable to the production of methanol and other liquid fuels using commercially available catalytic reactors.