PSA process with reaction for reversible reactions

A process for the production of methanol from a synthesis gas stream comprising a carbon oxide and hydrogen in a pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone containing a first fixed bed of at least two fixed beds, said process comprising the following steps:

• a) passing said synthesis gas stream at a reaction temperature and reaction pressure to the first fixed bed of at least two fixed beds of said pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone, each of said fixed beds having a feed end and an effluent end and containing an adsorbent selective for the adsorption of methanol and a catalyst selective for an equilibrium reaction of said synthesis gas to produce methanol, said adsorbent and said catalyst being uniformly distributed throughout said fixed beds and withdrawing a first effluent stream comprising hydrogen from said first fixed bed;
• b) terminating said passing of said synthesis gas to said first fixed bed and passing a co-purge stream from a second fixed bed to the feed end of said first fixed bed and withdrawing a second effluent stream;
• c) depressurizing and simultaneously purging said first fixed bed to desorption pressure and withdrawing a first product stream comprising methanol;
• and
• d) repressurizing said first fixed bed and repeating steps (a) through (d) to provide a continuous process.

A process for the production of methanol from a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon oxide, said process comprising:

• a) passing said synthesis gas stream having a molar ratio of carbon to hydrogen in excess of 2.3 to a compressor to provide a compressed synthesis gas stream at a reaction pressure;
• b) passing said compressed synthesis gas stream to a pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone comprising at least one fixed bed containing an adsorbent selective for the adsorption of methanol and a catalyst for the equilibrium conversion of said synthesis gas to methanol, said catalyst and said adsorbent being uniformly distributed throughout said fixed bed, and recovering an effluent stream at about said reaction pressure comprising hydrogen and depressurizing said fixed bed to a desorption pressure and recovering a crude methanol stream comprising methanol;
• c) passing said crude methanol stream to a methanol purification zone to provide a pure methanol stream and a recycle stream comprising carbon monoxide;
• and
• d) admixing at least a portion of said recycle stream with said synthesis gas stream prior to passing said synthesis gas stream to said compressor.

A process for the production of methanol from a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, said process comprising:

• a) passing said synthesis gas stream having a molar ratio of carbon to hydrogen in excess of about 2.3 to a secondary reforming zone and therein contacting said synthesis gas stream with an oxygen containing stream to provide a lean synthesis gas stream having about a stoichiometric ratio of carbon to hydrogen;
• b) passing said lean synthesis gas stream to a compressor to provide a compressed lean gas stream at a reaction pressure;
• c) passing said compressed lean gas stream to a pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone comprising a first fixed bed of at least two fixed beds, each of said beds containing an adsorbent selective for the adsorption of methanol and a catalyst for an equilibrium conversion of said lean gas stream to methanol, said catalyst and said adsorbent being uniformly distributed throughout said first fixed bed and withdrawing an effluent stream at about said reaction pressure comprising hydrogen, simultaneously depressurizing and purging said first fixed bed to a desorption pressure and recovering a crude methanol stream comprising methanol;
• and
• d) repeating steps (a) through (c) to provide a continuous process.