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Yuenenghua’s Methanol Production on Line 1 Reaches a New High Author/Source: Yuenenghua Date: November 24, 2021 Clicks: 19 As of November 22, the catalyst-grade methanol produced by the second reactor on Line 1 of the methanol production facility exceeded 7 million tons; this unit has been in operation for 1,213 days, setting a new record for the best operational performance among methanol production facilities in China. It is understood that the Zongshen Wanfeng KATALCO 51-9 catalyst is used in the synthesis process of Line 1 of the methanol complex. Since its successful first operation on July 29, 2014, this catalyst has been in use for a total of 1,311 days, or about 44 months, during which time 6.264 million tons of high-purity methanol were produced ； Since the successful first charge of the second catalyst on June 22, 2018, the total amount of refined methanol produced using the second catalyst has exceeded 740,000 tons, which is more than the total output achieved with the first catalyst. The plant engineer explained that the synthesis unit of Line 1 in the methanol complex utilizes the patented methanol synthesis technology developed by Johnson Matthey. This project produces methanol using coal, oil, and natural gas as raw materials; the concept of complementing carbon and hydrogen in these raw materials addresses the shortcomings of traditional coal-based methanol production, where there is an excess of carbon and a shortage of hydrogen, as well as those of natural gas-based methanol production, where there is an excess of hydrogen and a shortage of carbon. As a result, the efficiency of energy conversion and resource utilization is significantly improved. As the catalyst approached the end of its operational life, certain process parameters changed significantly. To reduce the consumption of fresh gas per unit of methanol produced and thereby increase methanol output, the methanol facility implemented a series of optimization measures. Through regular communication with the patent holder, the catalyst’s activity and operational data were analyzed and evaluated, allowing for continuous optimization of the process parameters. A series of measures, including intensive skill training for operators, successfully curbed the upward trend in the catalyst insulation layer temperature and the methanol-water content at the MTO stage.