An efficient technique for improving methanol yield using dual CO₂ feeds and dry methane reforming

Abstract

Steam methane reforming (SMR)-based methanol synthesis plants utilizing a single CO₂ feed represent one of the predominant technologies for improving methanol yield and CO₂ utilization. However, SMR alone cannot achieve full CO₂ utilization, and a high water content accumulates if CO₂ is only fed into the methanol reactor. In this study, a process integrating SMR with dry methane reforming to improve the conversion of both methane and CO₂ is proposed. We also propose an innovative methanol production approach in which captured CO₂ is introduced into both the SMR process and the recycle gas of the methanol synthesis loop. This dual CO₂ feed approach aims to optimize the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants. Comparative evaluations are carried out from a techno-economic point of view, and the proposed process is demonstrated to be more efficient in terms of both methanol productivity and CO₂ utilization than the existing stand-alone natural gas-based methanol process.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

methanol synthesis / CO₂ utilization / dry methane reforming / steam methane reforming / process design

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21878028, 21606026) and the Chongqing Social Livelihood Technological Innovation and Application Demonstration (No. CSTC2018JSCX-MSYBXX0336).

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