Selecting the optimal topology for the water-gas shift process for syngas produced by lignite gasification

The paper focuses on the problem of selecting the optimal topology for the water-gas shift process for the subsequent synthesis of methanol and higher alcohols. The process uses synthesis gas produced by lignite gasification. The proposed methodology employs the information approach to the creation of highly organized systems in chemical technology, so that optimization can be considered for the process of adding elements to the system step-by-step based on analysis of the organization criteria. The optimal solution is to combine gasification with two-stage high-temperature conversion on the basis of a topology in which two-stage heating precedes the first stage so as to ensure the required optimal temperatures. The optimal conversion topology is integrated with gasification to form a unified system, so as to ensure the required heating of the gasification agents. © 2016, Allerton Press, Inc.