Methanol synthesis process

Patent · Tue Dec 09 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6479894

Pinto, A

Disclosed is a process for synthesis of methanol including reacting hydrocarbons with steam to produce carbon oxides and hydrogen which are reacted to form methanol wherein low grade heat sources comprising gases at 150-300/sup 0/C are available. Previously the recovery of heat from such low grade heat sources has been inefficient or inconvenient. According to the invention the heat is recovered by means of an intermediary liquid coolant, which is brought into direct heat exchange with streams to be used in the process. Preferably the liquid is water under pressure and is brought into direct heat exchange with a gas to be fed to the process; by this means 10-30% of the steam can be provided from low grade waste heat.

• Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (United Kingdom)
• Patent Number(s): US 4238403
• OSTI ID: 6479894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030400 -- Natural Gas-- Products & By-Products
090221* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALCOHOLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEAT RECOVERY
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
NATURAL GAS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
STEAM
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS GAS
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION