Direct applications of stabilized methanol from the liquid phase methanol (LPMEOH) process
The Liquid Phase Methanol (LPMEOH) process uses a slurry bubble column reactor to convert synthesis (syngas) gas to methanol. Because of its superior heat management, the process can directly utilize the carbon monoxide (CO)-rich syngas characteristic of the gasification of coal, petroleum coke, residual oil, wastes, or other hydrocarbon feedstocks. When added to an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant for peak shaving, the LPMEOH process converts a portion of the CO-rich syngas produced by the gasifier to methanol, and the unconverted gas is used to fuel the gas turbine combined-cycle power plant. A 260 short tons per day LPMEOH Process Demonstration Plant has been in operation at Eastman Chemical Company's chemicals-from-coal complex in Kingsport, Tennessee since April 1997. One of the advantages of the LPMEOH Process for coproduction of electric power and methanol from coal-derived syngas is that the as-produced, stabilized (degassed) methanol product is of unusually high quality (e.g. less than 1 wt% water) which may be suitable for direct use premium fuel applications. When compared to conventional methanol synthesis processes, cost savings of $0.04 to $0.11 per gallon of methanol can be achieved in coproduction facilities. However, the suitability of the stabilized product as a fuel must be demonstrated. A product-use test program has been developed to enhance the early commercial acceptance of central clean coal technology processing facilities, coproducing electricity and methanol. The objective of this program is to demonstrate commercial market applications for the ``as produced'' or stabilized methanol as a replacement fuel and as a fuel supplement. Fuel economics will be evaluated for the ``as produced'' methanol for use in municipal, industrial, and utility applications and as fuel supplements for gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. The applications (for example, as a hydrogen source for fuel cells, and as a clean transportable, storable fuel for dispersed power) require testing of the stabilized methanol to confirm its suitability. Stabilized methanol produced at the LPMEOH Process Demonstration Plant in Kingsport is being made available to seven applications selected to participate in this study. The tests are currently on-going and the results will be presented in this paper.
- Research Organization:
- Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC22-93PC90543
- OSTI ID:
- 20082342
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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