Process and reaction system for the preparation of methanol

Abstract

Process and reaction system for the preparation of methanol. The process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a fresh methanol synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) introducing and reacting the fresh methanol synthesis gas stream in a first methanol reaction unit in presence of a methanol catalyst and obtaining a first effluent stream containing methanol and unconverted synthesis gas; (c) providing a recycle gas stream containing the unconverted methanol synthesis gas contained in the first effluent stream and unconverted methanol synthesis gas from a second methanol reaction unit; (d) introducing and reacting the recycle gas stream in the second methanol reaction unit in presence of a methanol catalyst; (e) withdrawing a second effluent stream containing methanol and the unconverted methanol synthesis gas from the second methanol reaction unit; (f)) combining the first and a part of the second effluent stream; (g) cooling and separating the combined effluent into a methanol-containing liquid stream and the recycle stream; and (h) withdrawing the remaining part of the second effluent stream as a purge gas stream, wherein the remaining part of the second effluent stream is withdrawn as a purge gas stream prior to combining the first and second effluent stream.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.