After the CO2 and H2 have reacted in the methanol synthesis reactor a mixture of methanol and water remains. This liquid-liquid mixture needs to be separated by using distillation. Using a conventional distillation column would have a negative effect on the energy balance and investment cost of the system. Therefore a micro-distillation system is used (based on capilary action as driving force). Several versions of this system have been built and tested.
This team consists of one teammember doing experimental work and one teammember doing dynamic modelling.
- Process modeling (calculate stuff)
Heat and mass transfer in column based on theory (specific scientific paper). Dynamic modelling in Matlab / Python.
- Component design (draw stuff)
This part is quite straightforward for this system. The temperatures and pressures are not extreme. A 3D CAD model needs to be developed for the system.
- Experimenting / Testing (build stuff)
This is where the bulk of the work is done. There is allready an experimental setup and procedure. After running tests, analyzing and learning from the results new systems can be designed.