Synthesis gas processes for methanol production via CH4 reforming with CO2, H2O and O2

CAÑETE B.; GIGOLA C.E.; BRIGNOLE N.B.

INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMICAL RESEARCH

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2014 p. 7103 - 7112

0888-5885

A conceptual design for the production of synthesis gas, suitable for methanol production, is presented. We propose the reforming of natural gas with high CO2 content by using H2O or H2O-O2 as co-reactants. A thermodynamic analysis for two reforming processes is developed to get adequate operating conditions for the reformer. The flow scheme for the syngas-methanol plant, together with the corresponding mass balances, is presented. A H2 separation process is considered for syngas composition adjustment. The methanol-loop reactor was also included in the analysis to take into account its close relationship with the reformer?s energy balance. For a comparative study, the hypothetical expansion of an existing methanol plant based on Steam Reforming of natural gas was chosen. A fundamental economic study shows that Combined Reforming (CO2 + H2O) and Tri-reforming (CO2 + H2O+ O2) of CH4 are competitive processes, with lower operating and capital costs in comparison with Steam Reforming.