Process for the Production of Methanol

A process for the production of methanol, said process comprising:

• (a) providing a fuel gas stream comprising 20-50 mol % hydrogen, 20-50 mol % carbon monoxide and 20-50 mol % methane, which fuel gas stream has been separated from the product stream obtained from a process for the autothermal cracking of paraffinic hydrocarbons with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability,
• (b) contacting the fuel gas stream comprising 20-50 mol % hydrogen, 20-50 mol % carbon monoxide and 20-50 mol % methane obtained from step (a) with a catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol at a pressure in the range 50 to 125 barg, to produce a product stream comprising methanol, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane,
• (c) treating the product stream comprising methanol, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane from step (b) to separate a product stream comprising methanol and a process stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane,
• (d) contacting the process stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane from step (c) with a water-gas shift catalyst to convert at least some of the carbon monoxide to produce additional hydrogen, and
• (e) separating at least a portion of the hydrogen and recycling to step (b).