Process for gas phase reactions

Abstract

A process for use in equilibrium exothermic gas phase reactions comprising the steps of (a) providing a recycle stream with the addition of make-up gas, to form a feed gas stream; (b) heating the feed gas stream; (c) passing the heated feed gas stream to a first reactor containing a catalyst for the exothermic gas phase reactions at conditions suitable for the reaction; (d) removing a product stream comprising product and unreacted gases from the first reactor; (e) cooling and partially condensing the product stream to form a gas phase and a liquid phase; (f) separating the liquid phase containing the desired product from the product stream and removing said liquid phase; (g) separating the gas phase from the product stream to form a gas stream; (h) optionally mixing the gas stream from the product stream with additional make-up gas; (i) heating the gas stream; (j) passing the heated gas stream to a final reactor containing a catalyst for the exothermic gas phase reactions at conditions suitable for the reaction; (k) removing a final product stream comprising product and unreacted gases from the final reactor; (l) cooling and partially condensing the final product stream to form afinal gas phase and a mal liquid phase; (m) separating the final liquid phase containing the desired product from the final product stream and removing said final liquid phase; and (n) separating thegas phase from the final product stream and recycling the gas to step (a); and in which the gas stream from step (g) is compressed prior to heating in step (i).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to methods for equilibrating exothermic gas phase reactions, such as for methanol synthesis and ammonia synthesis. Background technique [0002] Methanol is generally produced from the conversion of synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) in the presence of a suitable catalyst. This traditional method of producing methanol is described in detail in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Edition, Volume 16, Pages 545-549 (Kirk-Othmer Enthyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, Forth Edition, Volume 16 pages 545 to 549). Synthesis gas is generally obtained from carbonaceous feedstocks, often from hydrocarbonaceous and hydrogenous feedstocks such as natural gas, often by steam reforming. [0003] Ammonia is generally obtained by the Haber Process from a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst. [0004] Because these products and other exothermic gas phase reactio...

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Problems solved by technology

These high temperatures may lead to a higher deactivation rate of the catalyst

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