METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF METHANOL Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: production of methanol from natural gas and hydrocarbon-containing tail gases of chemical and petrochemical processes. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes stages of production of synthesis gas, catalytic conversion of obtained synthesis gas into methanol in several reaction at high temperatures and pressures , cooling of reaction products, separation of methanol and utilization of tail gases. Synthesis gas containing more than 20 vol-% of nitrogen at molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon oxide ranging from 1.2 : 1 to 4 : 1 is fed to inlet zones of reactors. Synthesis gas containing additionally oxygen in the amount not exceeding 0.9 vol-% is supplied periodically. As a rule, process is performed at temperature ranging from 160 to 300 C, pressure of 4.0 to 10.0 Mpa and volumetric flow rates of 500-10000 h^-1. As a rule, starting synthesis gas is divided into two flows: on flow is enriched with hydrogen in diaphragm-type mass- exchange unit and is fed to first catalytic reactor and second flow which is hydrogen deficient flow is mixed with gas flow escaping from last catalytic reactor after separation of methanol; mixture is fed to power plant as gas fuel. Proposed method ensures saving of energy at high productivity. EFFECT: increased productivity; improved quality of target product. 3 cl, 2 dwg, 4 ex