KINETIC RATE EXPRESSION FOR METHANOL SYNTHESIS IN A LIQUID ENTRAINED REACTOR

In the three phase entrained reactor for the liquid phase synthesis of methanol, the catalyst-inert oil slurry is pumped through the tubular reactor and syngas is fed to the reactor cocurrently with the upward flow of slurry.

According to an elaborate experimental design plan, the effect of different operating conditions on the liquid phase synthesis of methanol in an entrained reactor, was studied. The parameters of this experimental study included reactor temperature, reactor pressure, slurry flow rate, syngas flow rate, slurry holdup tank pressure, and syngas composition.

The data obtained from the experiments at low catalyst loading in slurry, were used to develop a kinetic rate expression for the liquid phase methanol synthesis process in an entrained reactor. This in turn helps the scale-up and commercialization of the methanol synthesis process in an entrained reactor.