METHOD OF PREPARING METHANOL Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and production of methanol from synthesis gas. SUBSTANCE: production natural gas containing 5-20% hydrogen is warmed in portable fire preheater, purified from sulphur compounds, precooled natural gas is mixed with steam due to heat exchange with vapor gas mixture after saturation, temperature of purified natural gas prior to saturation being by 20-30 C higher than temperature of gas-vapor mixture after saturation, gas-vapor mixture is heated to 450-500 C due to heat exchange with converted gas after mine conversion. Production natural gas is cooled to 580-620 C and is directed to steam conversion and vapor oxygen conversion, and after preparation and compression, synthesis gas is directed for methanol synthesis. Process is economical due to efficient use of heat. The resulting converted gas requires additional purification from carbon dioxide. EFFECT: more efficient preparation method. 2 cl, 2 ex