A report on simulation of methanol production from synthesis gas
An innovative process scheme to produce methanol from carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is here presented and accessed via simulation.In this configuration, the synthesis gas stream, composed by CO, CO2, and H2 and fed to the methanol synthesis reactor, is produced by means of a reverse-water–gas-shift by which a CO stream is partially converted in carbon dioxide. A simulation model is applied to define the proper operating conditions to achieve synthesis gas composition targets. The simulation results show that the plant configuration represents a feasible way to produce methanol using carbon dioxide, competitively with the traditional process in which the synthesis gas is produced by a natural gas steam reforming unit.From the simulation, some graphs were plotted. These graphs showed the dependency of simulation on variables (temperature, pressure etc).This were useful to understand the changes that will occur if properties of each unit were changed. Since pilot plants are expensive for this type of case, HYSYS gives us an opportunity to observe and realize the plant and the process happening inside. From the plots, optimum conditions for methanol production are found to be reactor temperature 200-300oC, reactor pressure 40-50atm.
Methanol; Synthesis Gas; Production of methanol; Purification; Simulation; Recycling.