Process for producing methanol
AssigneeAminoil, USA, Inc.
InventorNorman A. Grant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for processing coal to produce methanol, alcohol-slurry coal for transport, electric power and urea. Raw coal is graded. The downgraded fraction is gasified, producing steam and synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is converted to methanol which is then used to slurry upgraded coal for transport or to produce electric power. The steam output of the gasifier drives an oxygen generator to produce oxygen for the gasifier, when the synthesis gas is used to produce methanol, and also drives an electric power turbine. Natural gas may be used to maximize methanol production. Urea is a by-product.
Claims9
A process for converting coal to varying end products comprising:
- gasifying coal in a plurality of gasifiers to produce a synthesis gas and heat;
- converting at least part of said heat through a heat exchanger into steam;
- directing during some time periods at least part of said synthesis gas to a methanol plant;
- during the aforesaid time period inputting oxygen from an oxygen generator into at least some of the gasifiers;
- inputting air during other time periods to said gasifiers;
- directing at least part of the steam output from gasification to a steam turbine generator to produce electricity;
- directing part of the steam from gasification to drive said oxygen generator during the first said time period when oxygen is used as a gasifier input;
- and
- directing the entire steam output from gasification steam to said electric power generation during said other time period when air is used as the gasifier input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.