Under what conditions does the synthesis of methanol proceed as a reversible reaction?
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Under what conditions does the methanol synthesis reaction proceed reversibly?
Reversible reactions always exist; it’s just that one direction of the reaction is more pronounced. If you do not extract the methanol, then no more methanol will be produced, and a state of equilibrium will be reached.
Based on my understanding of the Arlen methanol cracking hydrogen production process. They also use copper-based catalysts, with an operating temperature of 230–290°C. However, the cracking reaction is endothermic, requiring an external heat source, and the concentrations of the reactants are in opposite proportions. I think in synthetic reactions, the reverse reaction always exists; it’s just weaker compared to the forward reaction. As long as the concentrations of H2 and CO in the gas entering the tower are higher than that of methanol, the reverse reaction is difficult to occur as the dominant reaction.
The methanol synthesis reaction is a reversible exothermic reaction; a balance is established as long as the reaction takes place. Increasing the pressure and reducing the reaction temperature can promote the reaction in the direction of methanol formation, but it is important to keep an eye on the reaction equilibrium.