Methanol production reactor apparatus and method of operations using homogeneous catalyst
OwnerDavid O. Trahan, Srinivasan Ambatipatiinventors
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Abstract
A system and method of continuous production of methanol is disclosed utilizing enriched syngas and a homogenous liquid catalyst comprising an organo-nickel compound, an ether solvent, and an organic methoxide salt. The syngas is directed into a reaction chamber in such a way as to maximize the gas-liquid interface (e.g., an eductor nozzle or bubble column) while two condensers receive tail gas and reactant fluid from the reaction chamber, the latter after undergoing flash separation. Liquid catalyst is recovered and recycled back into the system via the second condenser.
Claims12
A system of continuously producing methanol from a syngas comprising:
- a gas sparger conveying syngas to a reactor chamber;
- a conduit conveying reactant fluid to the reactor chamber, wherein the reactant fluid comprises a liquid, homogenous catalyst;
- a first condenser receiving tail gas conveyed from the reactor chamber, wherein the first condenser precipitates liquid methanol from the tail gas, and wherein the first condenser conveys fluid to a first separator directing the liquid methanol to storage and uncondensed tail gas to a flare
- a flash separator receiving the combined reactant fluid from the reactor chamber, wherein the flash separator vaporizes methanol from the combined reactant fluid;
- a second condenser receiving methanol vapor from the flash separator, wherein the second condenser precipitates liquid methanol from the vapor, and wherein the second condenser conveys fluid to a second separator directing liquid methanol to storage and uncondensed gas to a flare;
- and
- a heat exchanger receiving the remaining reactant fluid from the flash separator, wherein the heat exchanger cools the reactant fluid and recirculates into the conduit conveying reactant fluid to the reactor chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.