EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PROCESS PARAMETERS ON TEMPERATURE PROFILE OF ADIABATIC FIXED BED REACTOR FOR PRODUCTION OF DIMETHYL ETHER (DME) FROM METHANOL

Catalytic dehydration of methanol for production of dimethyl ether (DME) is an exothermic reaction. Therefore, the temperature of the adiabatic reactor of DME production will be increased by the progress of the reaction. In this article, effects of various process parameters are considered on the temperature profile of a fixed catalyst bed in a laboratory-scale reactor of DME production from methanol. Acidic gamma alumina is used for DME production, and effects of inlet feed temperature, flow rate of the feed, pressure of the reactor, and catalyst particle sizes on the temperature profile of the catalyst beds are investigated.     

Simulation of fixed bed reactor for dimethyl ether synthesis

Dimethyl Ether (DME) is considered as one of the most promising candidates for a substitute for LPG and diesel fuel. We analyzed one-step DME synthesis from syngas in a shell and tube type fixed bed reactor with consideration of the heat and mass transfer between catalyst pellet and reactants gas and effectiveness factor of catalysts together with reactor cooling through reactor wall. Simulation results showed strong effects of pore diffusion. We compared two different arrangements of catalysts, mixture of catalyst pellets (methanol synthesis catalyst and methanol dehydration catalyst) and hybrid catalyst. Hybrid catalyst gave better performance than a mixture of pellets in terms of CO conversion and DME productivity, but more difficulties with reactor temperature control. Use of inert pellets and inter-cooling was also simulated as a means of controlling maximum reactor temperature.     

工艺条件对甲醇脱水制二甲醚反应的影响

以La改性氧化铝为催化剂,在模拟绝热固定床反应器中考察工艺条件对甲醇气相脱水制二甲醚反应的影响。结果表明,甲醇进料温度210℃时,甲醇脱水反应剧烈,绝热温升约130℃。催化剂床层热点温度低于380℃时,二甲醚选择性大于98%,过高温度产生大量副产物甲烷。反应压力对反应影响甚微。在甲醇进料温度240℃(热点温度370℃)、甲醇进料空速1.5 h-1和反应系统压力为50 k Pa条件下,甲醇转化率大于84%,二甲醚选择性大于98.5%,连续运转2 000 h,催化剂无明显失活迹象。     

三相搅拌反应釜中合成气直接合成二甲醚

引　言二甲醚可替代氟里昂作制冷剂和喷射剂 ,减少对大气的污染 ;可作民用燃料 ,提高热值 ;可代替柴油 ,作柴油发动机燃料 ;可作汽车燃料 ,提高发动机的动力性能 ;可作为优良的溶剂和泡沫塑料的发泡剂 ;可生产Ｎ ,Ｎ -二甲基苯胺、乙酸甲酯等化工产品[1～ 4 ] .最早的二甲醚产品是从高压合成甲醇的副产品中分离回收得到 ,随着新型低压甲醇合成催化剂的开发 ,甲醇的选择性提高 ,这种方法已被淘汰 .目前二甲醚的工业生产主要是二步法 ,即合成气在铜基催化剂上生成甲醇 ,甲醇在分子筛催化剂上脱水生成二甲醚[5] .由于路线长 ,设备投资高 ,开发…     

由合成气生产二甲醚过程反应协同作用的研究

Influence of reaction temperature, pressure and space velocity on the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas is studied in an isothermal fixed-bed reactor. The catalyst is a physical mixture of C30 copper-based methanol (MeOH) synthesis catalyst and ZSM-5 dehydration catalyst. The experimental results show that the chemical synergy between methanol synthesis reaction and methanol dehydration reaction is evident. The conversion of carbon monoxide is over 90%.     

OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE PROFILE IN METHANOL SYNTHESIS REACTOR

An optimal temperature profile is determined for a methanol synthesis reactor of LURGI type. The temperature profile is estimated so that methanol production rate in the reactor outlet will be maximized. First, the reactor is simulated based on heterogeneous one- and two-dimensional models. The comparison of the simulation results and plant data shows that the heterogeneous one-dimensional model can reliably be used for determining optimal temperature profile. Since optimal temperature profile for reversible exothermic reaction in tubular reactors is a decreasing function of reactor length, the technique of control variable parameterization is used for determining optimal temperature profile in a methanol reactor. In this way, a third order polynomial is considered for the temperature profile and the polynomial coefficients are as decision variables. The optimization is based on a Quasi-Newton's method (BFS technique), and the objective function is methanol flow rate at the reactor outlet. The results of optimization indicate that if optimal temperature profile is implemented in the reactor, methanol production will significantly be increased.     

低温液相甲醇合成鼓泡浆态反应器数学模拟

建立了经由甲酸甲酯的低温液相甲醇合成鼓泡浆态反应器的数学模型 ,模拟了实验室鼓泡浆态反应器的行为 ,并利用模型考察了工艺参数如表观气速、催化剂浓度对反应的影响 ,对改进和提高低温液相浆态床反应器甲醇合成提供了信息 ,以便对开发低温甲醇合成工艺提供参考和指导     

Simulation of DME synthesis from coal syngas by kinetics model

DME (Dimethyl Ether) has emerged as a clean alternative fuel for diesel. There are largely two methods for DME synthesis. A direct method of DME synthesis has been recently developed that has a more compact process than the indirect method. However, the direct method of DME synthesis has not yet been optimized at the face of its performance: yield and production rate of DME. In this study it is developed a simulation model through a kinetics model of the ASPEN plus simulator, performed to detect operating characteristics of DME direct synthesis. An overall DME synthesis process is referenced by experimental data of 3 ton/day (TPD) coal gasification pilot plant located at IAE in Korea. Supplying condition of DME synthesis model is equivalently set to 80 N/m³ of syngas which is derived from a coal gasification plant. In the simulation it is assumed that the overall DME synthesis process proceeds with steadystate, vapor-solid reaction with DME catalyst. The physical properties of reactants are governed by Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) EOS in this model. A reaction model of DME synthesis is considered that is applied with the LHHW (Langmuir-Hinshelwood Hougen Watson) equation as an adsorption-desorption model on the surface of the DME catalyst. After adjusting the kinetics of the DME synthesis reaction among reactants with experimental data, the kinetics of the governing reactions inner DME reactor are modified and coupled with the entire DME synthesis reaction. For validating simulation results of the DME synthesis model, the obtained simulation results are compared with experimental results: conversion ratio, DME yield and DME production rate. Then, a sensitivity analysis is performed by effects of operating variables such as pressure, temperature of the reactor, void fraction of catalyst and H₂/CO ratio of supplied syngas with modified model. According to simulation results, optimum operating conditions of DME reactor are obtained in the range of 265–275 °C and 60 kg/cm². And DME production rate has a maximum value in the range of 1–1.5 of H₂/CO ratio in the syngas composition.     

能源化工与催化固定床一步法制二甲醚催化剂性能

采用固定床反应装置,以共沉淀法制备甲醇催化剂和一步法合成二甲醚催化剂,采用BET、XRD和SEM对催化剂进行表征。在反应压力2.5 MPa、反应温度260 ℃和空速(500~900) h^-1条件下,催化剂催化活性最好,其中,CO转化率≥90%,二甲醚收率≥60%,二甲醚选择性≥65%。     

Optimal temperature profile in methanol synthesis reactor

An optimal temperature profile is determined for a methanol synthesis reactor of LURGI type. The temperature profile is estimated so that methanol production rate in the reactor outlet will be maximized. First, the reactor is simulated based on heterogeneous one- and two-dimensional models. The comparison of the simulation results and plant data shows that the heterogeneous one-dimensional model can reliably be used for determining optimal temperature profile. Since optimal temperature profile for reversible exothermic reaction in tubular reactors is a decreasing function of reactor length, the technique of control variable parameterization is used for determining optimal temperature profile in a methanol reactor. In this way, a third order polynomial is considered for the temperature profile and the polynomial coefficients are as decision variables. The optimization is based on a Quasi-Newton's method (BFS technique), and the objective function is methanol flow rate at the reactor outlet. The results of optimization indicate that if optimal temperature profile is implemented in the reactor, methanol production will significantly be increased.     

A Novel, Low Temperature Synthesis Method of Dimethyl Ether Over Cu–Zn Catalyst Based on Self-Catalysis Effect of Methanol

A new DME synthesis route from syngas at a relatively low temperature (443 K) has been developed for the first time by the combination of a conventional DME synthesis catalyst (Cu/ZnO:HZSM-5 catalyst) with methanol as a catalytic solvent. The addition of methanol to the reaction system is the key to the success of DME synthesis at this temperature. Indeed, a CO conversion of 29 and 43% with a DME selectivity of 69 and 68% were achieved at 443 or 453 K, respectively, and 4 MPa, when methanol was used as a catalytic solvent. Importantly, no other by-products including methanol and hydrocarbons were observed in the DME product attained, suggesting no significant subsequent purification stages. Assuming no scale up problems, this process potentially provides a high purity of DME with less energy consumption, and so offers an opportunity for the economically viable future sustainable production of DME.     

Liquid phase methanol and dimethyl ether synthesis from syngas

The Liquid Phase Methanol Synthesis (LPMeOH^TM) process has been investigated in our laboratories since 1982The reaction chemistry of liquid phase methanol synthesis over commercial Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts, established for diverse feed gas conditions including H₂-rich, CO-rich, CO₂-rich, and CO-free environments, is predominantly based on the CO₂ hydrogenation reaction and the forward water-gas shift reactionImportant aspects of the liquid phase methanol synthesis investigated in this in-depth study include global kinetic rate expressions, external mass transfer mechanisms and rates, correlation for the overall gas-to-liquid mass transfer rate coefficient, computation of the multicomponent phase equilibrium and prediction of the ultimate and isolated chemical equilibrium compositions, thermal stability analysis of the liquid phase methanol synthesis reactor, investigation of pore diffusion in the methanol catalyst, and elucidation of catalyst deactivation/regenerationThese studies were conducted in a mechanically agitated slurry reactor as well as in a liquid entrained reactorA novel liquid phase process for co-production of dimethyl ether (DME) and methanol has also been developedThe process is based on dual-catalytic synthesis in a single reactor stage, where the methanol synthesis and water gas shift reactions takes place over Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts and the in-situ methanol dehydration reaction takes place over -Al₂O₃ catalystCo-production of DME and methanol can increase the single-stage reactor productivity by as much as 80%. By varying the mass ratios of methanol synthesis catalyst to methanol dehydration catalyst, it is possible to co-produce DME and methanol in any fixed proportion, from 5% DME to 95% DMEAlso, dual catalysts exhibit higher activity, and more importantly these activities are sustained for a longer catalyst on-stream life by alleviating catalyst deactivation.     

Effects of temperature and feed composition on catalytic dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether over γ-alumina

Catalytic dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME) is performed in an adiabatic fixed bed heterogeneous reactor by using acidic γ-alumina. By changing the mean average temperature of the catalyst bed (or operating temperature of the reactor) from 233 up to 303 °C, changes in methanol conversion were monitored. The results showed that the conversion of methanol strongly depended on the reactor operating temperature. Also, conversion of pure methanol and mixture of methanol and water versus time were studied and the effect of water on deactivation of the catalyst was investigated. The results revealed that when pure methanol was used as the process feed, the catalyst deactivation occurred very slowly. But, by adding water to the feed methanol, the deactivation of the γ-alumina was increased very rapidly; so much that, by increasing water content to 20 weight percent by weight, the catalyst lost its activity by about 12.5 folds more than in the process with pure methanol. Finally, a temperature dependent model developed to predict pure methanol conversion to DME correlates reasonably well with experimental data.     

Dynamic simulation of a cascade fluidized-bed membrane reactor in the presence of long-term catalyst deactivation for methanol synthesis

In this work, a dynamic model for a cascade fluidized-bed hydrogen permselective membrane methanol reactor (CFBMMR) has been developed in the presence of long-term catalyst deactivation. In the first catalyst bed, the synthesis gas is partly converted to methanol in a water-cooled reactor, which is a fluidized-bed. In the second bed, which is a membrane assisted fluidized-bed reactor, the reaction heat is used to preheat the feed gas to the first bed. This reactor configuration solves some observed drawbacks of new conventional dual type methanol reactor (CDMR) and even fluidized-bed membrane dual type methanol reactor (FBMDMR) such as pressure drop, internal mass transfer limitations, radial gradient of concentration and temperature in both reactors. A dynamic two-phase theory in bubbling regime of fluidization is used to model and simulate the proposed reactor. The proposed model has been used to compare the performance of a cascade fluidized-bed membrane methanol reactor with fluidized-bed membrane dual-type methanol reactor and conventional dual-type methanol reactor. The simulation results show a considerable enhancement in the methanol production due to the favorable profile of temperature and activity along the CFBMMR relative to FBMDMR and CDMR systems.     

二甲醚水蒸气重整制氢CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-ZrO2/固体酸复合催化剂

Steam reforming(SR) of dimethyl ether(DME) was investigated for the production of hydrogen for fuel cells.The activity of a series of solid acids for DME hydrolysis was investigated.The solid acid catalysts were ZSM-5 [Si/Al=25,38 and 50:denoted Z(Si/Al)] and acidic alumina(γ-Al₂O₃) with an acid strength order that was Z(25)>Z(38)>Z(50)>γ-Al₂O₃.Stronger acidity gave higher DME hydrolysis conversion.Physical mixtures containing a CuO-ZnO-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalyst and solid acid catalyst to couple DME hydrolysis and methanol SR were used to examine the acidity effects on DME SR.DME SR activity strongly depended on the activity for DME hydrolysis.Z(25) was the best solid acid catalyst for DME SR and gave a DME conversion>90% [T=24℃,n(H₂O)/n(DME)=3.5,space velocity=1179 ml·(g cat)^-1·h^-1,and P=0.1MPa].The influences of the reaction temperature,space velocity and feed molar ratio were studied.Hydrogen production significantly depended on temperature and space velocity.A bifunctional catalyst of CuO-ZnO-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalyst and ZSM-5 gave a high H₂ production rate and CO₂ selectivity.     

Dehydration of Methanol to Dimethyl Ether by Catalytic Distillation

The kinetics of liquid catalytic dehydration of methanol over an ion exchange resin (Amberlyst 35) has been determined for the temperature range 343 to 403 K using a batch reactor. The experimental data are described well by an Eley‐Rideal type kinetic expression, for which the surface reaction is the rate‐determining step. A catalytic distillation process for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME) has been modeled using the experimentally determined kinetic data. The results were incorporated into the rate‐controlled reaction mode for RadFrac, a part of the commercial simulation program Aspen Plus. It was shown that synthesis of high purity DME can be achieved using a single catalytic distillation column. Thus there is significant potential for reduction of overall capital cost for a plant for methanol dehydration to DME when compared to conventional production facilities that involve separate reaction and distillation processes.     

Simulation of activity loss of fixed bed catalytic reactor of MTO conversion using percolation theory

In this investigation, a reactor model for prediction of the deactivation behavior of MTO's porous catalyst in a fixed bed reactor is developed. Effect of coking on molecular transport in the porous structure of SAPO-34 has been simulated using the percolation theory. Thermal effects of the reaction were considered in the model and the temperature profile of the gas stream in the reactor was predicted. The predicted loss in catalyst activity with time-on-stream was in very good agreement with the experimental data. The resulting coke deposition and gas temperature profiles along the length of reactor suggested a reaction front moving toward the outlet of the fixed bed reactor at the operating experimental conditions of 1 h⁻¹ and 723 K for methanol space velocity and inlet temperature, respectively. Effects of space time, coordination of Bethe network, and effective diffusivity of component in reaction mixture on the reactor performance are presented.     

Performance enhancement of thermally coupling of methanol synthesis,DME synthesis and cyclohexane dehydrogenation processes: Employment of water and hydrogen perm-selective membranes via different recycle streams

In this research, effect of water and hydrogen perm-selective membranes via different recycle cases in a thermally double-coupled two-membrane reactor (TDCTMR) has been investigated. Methanol and direct dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from natural gas as exothermic reactions have been thermally coupled with cyclohexane dehydrogenation as an endothermic reaction. Hydroxy sodalite (H-SOD) and Pd/Ag membranes have been employed for removing water from methanol side and injection of hydrogen to DME side respectively. Three different recycle stream cases have been studied for the performance enhancement of TDCTMR. In the first case, the outlet stream from DME reactor is recycled to itself. Also, in the second case, the outlet stream from methanol side is recycled to DME side and finally, the third case is that the mixture of methanol and DME outlet streams are recycled to DME side. The results of these three cases are compared with thermally double coupled reactor (TDCR). Results show that hydrogen production in cyclohexane side of TDCTMR increases 8.32%, 22.89% and 23.88% for cases 1, 2 and 3 in comparison to TDCR respectively. Also, DME and methanol production enhances 38.38% and 13.3% for case 3 (best case) in comparison to TDCR respectively.     

STEADY STATE AND DYNAMIC MODELLING OF A PACKED BED REACTOR FOR THE PARTIAL OXIDATION OF METHANOL TO FORMALDEHYDE II. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS COMPARED WITH MODEL PREDICTIONS

Heterogeneous and pseudohomogeneous two-dimensional models are compared to steady state and dynamic experimental data from a packed bed reactor for the partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde over an iron oxide-molybdenum oxide catalyst. Highly effective parameter estimation software was used to fit selected model parameters to large sets of experimental data so as to obtain small residuals. Heat transfer parameters which were successful in matching data from experiments without reaction were not capable of fitting data from experiments with reaction, and it was necessary to increase the radial heat transfer for higher temperatures or reaction rates. Axial composition profile data was represented by estimating the preexponential factors and activation energy in a half-order redox rate expression for methanol oxidation. After some decline in catalyst activity, a time-varying axial catalyst activity profile was determined from the data. A redox-type rate expression for the oxidation of formaldehyde to carbon monoxide was proposed to fit the data. The dynamics of the reactor temperature profile were accurately represented by the model. The heterogeneous and pseudohomogeneous models gave similar results in fitting experimental data, although the parameters determined for the two models were somewhat different.     

完全液相制备催化剂上合成二甲醚动力学研究

采用浆态床反应器,研究了用完全液相法制备的Cu-Zn-A l双功能催化剂上CO加氢直接合成二甲醚(DME)的反应动力学。按CO加氢先合成CH3OH,再由CH3OH脱水生成DME二步串联的反应机理,根据不同的中间产物及控制步骤分别建立了动力学模型,以反应物的平衡浓度代替逸度进行计算,最终选取的模型计算值和实验值吻合较好,说明采用L-H型动力学模型可以合理地描述催化剂表面的反应过程,模型参数计算结果表明,催化剂表面对CO2的弱吸附是该催化剂在浆态床中稳定性较好的主要原因之一。