The STAR configuration for methanol synthesis in reversed flow reactors

Abstract

AbstractAlthough the transient reversed flow operation of a fixed bed reactor for methanol synthesis was shown to be an economically attractive alternative for the traditional steady state technology, it suffers from strongly varying exit concentrations upon flow reversal. These not only disturb the operation of downstream equipment but also significantly decrease the time averaged conversion to methanol.To avoid this drawback, the STAR reactor concept is introduced. It operates in a fully transient mode, but combines the attractive features of the reversed flow reactor operation with practically constant exit concentrations. Extensive simulation work shows that the conversions obtained exceed those of the single reversed flow reactor by at least 5 percent.