CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF THE BERTY REACTOR FOR THE SOLVENT METHANOL PROCESS

In the solvent methanol process (SMP), an inert and selective solvent removes methanol as soon as it is formed from syngas. Conversion in the conventional vapor-phase methanol synthesis is limited because of equilibrium limitations due to the reverse reaction, but data presented in this paper demonstrate that high conversions can be obtained in the SMP. Rate data have been collected for the SMP at operating conditions typical of the vapor-phase process (7.8-10 MPa, 493-513 K). Single-pass H-2 and CO conversions range from 30 to 80%. In some cases, conversions are higher than those predicted by vapor phase equilibrium calculations based on the feed composition, providing that SMP is able to overcome the equilibrium barrier. Rates are 2-3 times lower than those encountered in the vapor-phase process owing to pore diffusion limitations from the presence of the liquid.