A Comparative Assessment of Catalytic Partial Oxidation and Steam Reforming for the Production of Methanol from Natural Gas.

Abstract

This chapter uses the advanced process engineering simulator, ASPEN/SP to simulate a methanol plant based on catalytic partial oxidation (CATPOX) of natural gas to syngas and its further conversion to methanol using a steam-raising converter. ASPEN simulations of a methanol plant, based on the catalytic partial oxidation of natural gas, and operating under various process scenarios, clearly indicate that the overall energy demand per ton of methanol produced, is significantly affected by partial oxidation reactor pressure, oxygen to carbon ratio, and steam to carbon ratio. Ideally, the catalytic partial oxidation of natural gas should be conducted at low pressure for greater gas conversion and syngas quality. However, as the downstream use of syngas usually requires high pressure, the differential benefits of greater conversion and syngas quality are rapidly lost to high gas compression cost.