Staged liquid phase methanol process

A process for the production of methanol from synthesis gas feed containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide comprising:

• (a) introducing said synthesis gas feed into a first liquid phase reactor containing solid methanol synthesis catalyst in an inert liquid;
• (b) reacting said synthesis gas in the presence of said catalyst in said first liquid phase reactor to produce methanol;
• (c) withdrawing an effluent gas stream comprising methanol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide from said first liquid phase reactor and introducing said effluent gas stream into a second liquid phase reactor containing said solid methanol synthesis catalyst in said inert liquid;
• (d) reacting said effluent gas stream in the presence of said catalyst in said second liquid phase reactor to produce additional methanol;
• (e) removing sufficient amounts of heat from said first and second liquid phase reactors to control the respective temperatures therein such that the methanol productivity is maximized for a given composition of said synthesis gas feed and given activities of said catalyst in each of said liquid phase reactors;
• (f) withdrawing a mixed product stream comprising methanol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide from said second liquid phase reactor;
• and
• (g) withdrawing spent catalyst from said first liquid phase reactor, transferring partially spent catalyst from said second liquid phase reactor to said first liquid phase reactor, and introducing fresh catalyst into said second liquid phase reactor.