A simulation-based design methodology for configuring a reactive distillation (RD) column for methanol synthesis is presented in this work. Unlike other processes using RD, all the reactants involved in methanol synthesis are gaseous and, therefore, the conventional methods used for the design of RD columns cannot be used. The simulation-based design algorithm also gives better insights into the process. RD for methanol synthesis requires an inert solvent and the column configuration has side coolers on the stages to remove the heat of reaction. The developed algorithm aims to maximize the methanol production, while minimizing the solvent requirement and the number of side coolers. The methodology has been demonstrated for three different feed syngas compositions. It is observed that the performance of RD is either at par with, or superior to, the conventional process for the studied cases. A multi-parametric sensitivity analysis shows that the solution obtained using this design algorithm is within 0.3% of the local optimum. The effect of solvent flowrate on the column sizing and economics and the possibility of multiple steady-states is also illustrated.

本文介绍了一种基于模拟的设计方法，用于配置用于甲醇合成的反应精馏 (RD) 柱。与使用 RD 的其他工艺不同，甲醇合成中涉及的所有反应物都是气态的，因此不能使用用于 RD 柱设计的常规方法。基于仿真的设计算法还可以更好地了解流程。用于甲醇合成的 RD 需要惰性溶剂，并且色谱柱配置在阶段具有侧冷却器以去除反应热。开发的算法旨在最大限度地提高甲醇产量，同时最大限度地减少溶剂需求和侧冷却器的数量。该方法已针对三种不同的进料合成气组成进行了证明。可以观察到，RD 的性能与或优于，研究案例的常规流程。多参数敏感性分析表明，使用该设计算法得到的解在局部最优值的0.3%以内。还说明了溶剂流速对色谱柱尺寸和经济性的影响以及多种稳态的可能性。