Conceptual Design of a Floating Methanol Production Unit

Abstract

Several configurations for synthesis gas production and methanol synthesis have been considered and simulated using the simulation tool Honeywell UniSim Design R400 and MATLAB. It was decided to use a process without recycle with a gas heated reformer for synthesis gas production and a low pressure methanol synthesis technology. The set up maximizing methanol production was to use flue gas as heating medium in the gas heated reformer followed by a secondary ATR. A daily production of 1479 MTPD methanol was obtained from a feed of 50 MMSCFD. The carbon efficiency of the plant was 64% using a series of four reactors, with a conversion of CO of 80%. An economical evaluation was performed. This showed that it was economical to perform distillation at the site.