Co-production of methanol and ammonia

Process for co-producing methanol and ammonia from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising the sequential steps of:

• (a) producing a methanol synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon oxides and nitrogen by steam reforming the hydrocarbon feedstock in a primary reforming stage and subsequently in an air-blown secondary reforming stage;
• (b) catalytically converting the carbon oxides and hydrogen of the methanol synthesis gas in a once-through methanol synthesis stage and withdrawing an effluent containing methanol and a gas effluent containing nitrogen, hydrogen and unconverted carbon oxides;
• (c) producing an ammonia synthesis gas without the use of water gas shift and without the use of carbon dioxide removal by removing the unconverted carbon oxides of the gas effluent of step (b) in a catalytic methanation stage and withdrawing an ammonia synthesis gas having a H2:N2 molar ratio of 3:1;
• (d) catalytically converting the nitrogen and hydrogen of the ammonia synthesis gas in an ammonia synthesis stage and withdrawing an effluent containing ammonia and an off-gas stream containing hydrogen, nitrogen and methane.