Method for the preparation of methanol

Method for the preparation of methanol from a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide comprising the steps of

• (a) mixing fresh methanol synthesis gas and unconverted methanol synthesis gas withdrawn from a low pressure separator and passing the synthesis gas mixture to suction side of a make-up gas compressor and pressurizing the synthesis gas mixture;
• (b) introducing and converting the pressurized synthesis gas mixture into one or more methanol reaction stages in presence of a methanol catalyst;
• (c) withdrawing from step (b) a reacted effluent comprising methanol and the unconverted synthesis gas;
• (d) cooling the reacted effluent below dew point of methanol;
• (e) separating a part of the methanol in a high pressure separator and a part of the unconverted synthesis gas and recycling the part of the unconverted gas via a recycle compressor to the discharge side of the make-up gas compressor;
• (f) separating a further part of the methanol from a further part of the unconverted synthesis gas in the low pressure separator;
• (g) recycling at least a part of the unconverted synthesis gas from step (f) to step (a) upstream the suction side of the make-up gas compressor,
• wherein pressure of the fresh synthesis gas in step (a) is lower than the pressure of the unconverted synthesis gas withdrawn from the low pressure separator in step (f).