Stuart S Goldstein

US Patent:

43484875, Sep 7, 1982

Filed:

Nov 2, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/317358

Inventors:

Stuart S. Goldstein - Kinnelon NJ
William J. Calvin - Convent Station NJ
Harry A. Marshall - Madison NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research and Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C07C 2706
C07C 3104

US Classification:

518704

Abstract:

Methanol is produced by gasifying a carbonaceous feed material with steam in the presence of a carbon-alkali metal catalyst and added hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature between about 1000. degree. F. and about 1500. degree. F. and at a pressure in excess of about 100 psia to produce a raw product gas comprising methane, steam, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide; withdrawing the raw product gas from the gasifier and treating it for the removal of steam, particulates, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide to produce a treated gas containing primarily carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane; separating the treated gas into a methane-rich gas stream and a gas stream containing primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen; passing the gas stream containing primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a methanol synthesis reactor where the carbon monoxide is reacted with the hydrogen in the presence of a methanol synthesis catalyst to form methanol; recovering methanol product from the effluent exiting the methanol synthesis reactor thereby leaving a gas comprised of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide; and passing a portion of this gas to a steam reforming furnace wherein at least a portion of the methane is reacted with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide which is then passed from the steam reforming furnace into the gasifier. Preferably, at least a portion of the methane-rich gas produced in the separation step is used as fuel for the steam reforming furnace.

US Patent:

43484867, Sep 7, 1982

Filed:

Aug 27, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/296713

Inventors:

William J. Calvin - Convent Station NJ
Stuart S. Goldstein - Kinnelon NJ
Harry A. Marshall - Madison NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research and Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C07C 2706
C07L 3104

US Classification:

518704

Abstract:

Methanol is produced by gasifying a carbonaceous feed material with steam in the presence of a carbon-alkali metal catalyst and added hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature between about 1000. degree. F. and about 1500. degree. F. and at a pressure in excess of about 100 psia to produce a raw product gas comprising methane, steam, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide; withdrawing the raw product gas from the gasifier and treating it for the removal of steam, particulates, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide to produce a treated gas containing primarily carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane; separating the treated gas into a methane-rich gas stream and a gas stream containing primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen; passing the methane-rich gas stream to a steam reforming furnace wherein a portion of the methane is reacted with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide which is then passed from the steam reforming furnace into the gasifier; passing the gas stream containing primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a methanol synthesis reactor where the carbon monoxide is reacted with the hydrogen in the presence of a methanol synthesis catalyst to form methanol; recovering methanol product from the effluent exiting the methanol synthesis reactor thereby leaving a gas comprised of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide; and recycling at least a portion of this gas to the separation step of the process.