Single-Step Syngas-to-Dimethyl Ether Processes for Optimal Productivity, Minimal Emissions, and Natural Gas-Derived Syngas

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research Vol. 38; no. 11; pp. 4381 - 4388
• Main Authors: Peng, X. D, Wang, A. W, Toseland, B. A, Tijm, P. J. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.11.1999
• Subjects: 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; 03 NATURAL GAS; 10 SYNTHETIC FUELS; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; CHEMICAL REACTORS; Chemistry; COAL GASIFICATION; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; Energy; ETHERS; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel processing. Carbochemistry and petrochemistry; Fuels; Gas processing; General and physical chemistry; METHANE; NATURAL GAS; PARTIAL OXIDATION PROCESSES; PRODUCTIVITY; REFORMER PROCESSES; SYNTHESIS GAS; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Catalytic conversion; Kinetic model; Simulation; Hydrogen; Recycle reactor; Methyl ether; Carbon monoxide; Performance; Chemical synthesis; Synthesis gas; Natural gas; Optimization
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/ie9901269

Process schemes for single-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether (DME) were developed in two stages:  (1) the performance of the syngas-to-DME reactor was optimized with respect to the feed gas composition and (2) the optimal reactor feed gas system was integrated with synthesis gas generators. It was shown that the reactor performance is very sensitive to the H2:CO ratio in the feed gas. The optimal DME productivity and best material utilization were obtained with a feed gas containing 50% hydrogen and 50% carbon monoxide. In the second phase the syngas generation units considered were CO2−methane reformer, steam−methane reformer, methane partial oxidation, and coal gasifier. The integration adjusts the H2:CO ratio in natural gas-derived syngas to fit the optimal DME reactor operation and minimizes CO2 emissions and material loss. The technical feasibility of these schemes was demonstrated by simulations using realistic reactor models, kinetics, and thermodynamics under commercially relevant conditions.