Process and plant

A reactor system for use in the production of methanol from synthesis gas comprising:

• (a) a first reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having an inlet for supply of synthesis gas and an outlet for recovery of a first methanol-containing stream, said first reactor being charged with a first volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the synthesis gas flows and on which in use, partial conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol and un-reacted synthesis gas will occur, said first reactor not including cooling means such that said first reactor provides such conversion adiabatically;
• and
• (b) a second reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having an inlet for supply of the gaseous first methanol-containing stream which has not been subjected to cooling after being recovered from the outlet of the first reactor, an outlet for recovery of a second methanol-containing stream and indirect cooling means, said second reactor being charged with a second volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the gaseous first methanol-containing stream flows radially from the inlet and on which, in use, further conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol will occur,
• wherein said first and second reactors are located in separate reactors or, said first and second reactors are zones located within a single reactor, with the first catalyst and the second catalyst being separated from each other;
• and
• wherein the reactor system does not include cooling means located between the outlet of the first reactor and the inlet of the second reactor.