SIMULATION OF METHANOL PRODUCTION PROCESS FROM SYNGAS USING UNISIM DESIGN SOFTWARE

Tóm tắt

In this study, simulation of a synthesized methanol process from syngas using UniSim Design R470 is performed to analyze the effects of operating parameters on the product purity. The production line consists of two key units known as methanol reactor unit and by-product separation unit. The kinetics model for the reforming step is adopted from literature in the form of heterogeneous catalytic reactions using Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for the simulation of the plug-flow reactor in the process. Numerical results obtained from the simulation generally show that the production rate and its purity are affected by three key factors known as recycle ratio, reaction temperature and pressure. Based on the parameter analysis, the effective operating condition is found at recycle ratio of 0,8 in which reaction temperature and pressure are kept in the range of 180-200oC and 4-5 MPa, respectively. At this operating condition, purity of the synthesized methanol is higher than 99,9% which can be used as clean fuel, solvent.