Does the inlet temperature of the methanol synthesis tower (Lurgi tower) have a significant impact on the outlet temperature?
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By changing the inlet temperature of the methanol synthesis tower (Ruhlig tower), without altering conditions such as the flow rate of cooling water and pressure, is the change in outlet temperature significant? Since the reaction temperature in the synthesis tower is primarily controlled by adjusting the pressure of the synthesis drum, wouldn’t the outlet temperature change little even if the inlet temperature changes?
The impact is minimal; the outlet temperature is stabilized by the drum. The level of the inlet temperature is merely a matter of distributing the heat load; however, it must be strictly controlled, as a too low temperature causes the reaction hot spots to shift backward, affecting the efficiency of catalyst utilization ； A high temperature causes the hot spots to shift forward, affecting the one-way conversion rate and being detrimental to the catalyst as well ； This is calculated by the patent holder based on the performance of their catalyst, and it should not be changed easily.
2# 51425572 Thank you for your guidance! Is there a specific operating range for the inlet temperature? Is it okay to operate within this range? ?
. . . The inlet temperature can affect the temperature of the catalyst bed in the synthesis tower; however, this effect is reduced in towers equipped with a steam drum. When the temperature is too low, below 200 degrees Celsius, large amounts of paraffin are produced, which damages the catalyst’s activity as well as the performance of the water coolers. It can also cause the water coolers to become overloaded, resulting in high temperatures after cooling. As for extremely high temperatures, they obviously lead to an increase in the temperature of the synthesis tower
4# lizhaoye is learning!*
The inlet temperature is regulated based on the outlet temperature through heat exchange; how is it adjusted? When the cold shock doesn’t work, the temperature is only 200 degrees.
6# Pengba: Can’t the inlet temperature be adjusted by regulating the heat exchanger?
The inlet temperature is quite important; a slight decrease of a few degrees has little impact on production (this is mainly determined by the outlet temperature, and it’s not easy to change it). However, if the temperature is too low, it affects the synthesis process, lowers the temperature at the hot spots, reduces the methanol synthesis rate, increases the synthesis pressure, and may even force venting, thereby affecting the catalyst’s service life! In this way, the catalyst cannot be utilized effectively; it would be better if its temperature could be brought close to that of the outlet, but this would require external heat sources for heating, which is somewhat counterproductive!
7# superchenlei, which type of heat exchanger are you referring to? An inter-stage cooler for pressure combination?
Can it be controlled using the circulation volume? I hope this helps you.
Furthermore, if the inlet temperature is too low, a large amount of paraffin is produced, which severely affects the catalyst’s service life!