The pressure for methanol synthesis cannot be increased, but the pressure difference in the synthesis tower is very high
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We are using Topso’s process; the pressure difference in the synthesis tower is already very high, yet the synthesis pressure just won’t increase. Does anyone have any advice? The gas capacity is also fine – it’s basically at near full capacity. The design pressure is 7.9 MPa, while the current pressure is only 6.5 MPa.
The output is also about 5 tons lower
As long as the production volume is sufficient, low pressure is ideal. This indicates that the catalyst performs well and that the gas composition is good. There is a high pressure difference, but the pressure itself remains low; at the same time, the quality of the crude methanol is also excellent
Agree with the person above; the fact that no pressure builds up indicates that the reaction is good, and no gas has accumulated. Additionally, given the high pressure difference in the synthesis tower, it is still necessary to consider whether the catalyst inside the tower has been stirred up by the airflow.
High system CO2 levels prevent pressure from rising, and the pressure difference in the reactor is high.
I can only say that your family’s response was excellent. Could you please provide the gas composition? It can be analyzed again
After operating for some time, we suspect that the catalyst may have become quite powdered; currently, the pressure difference in the synthesis tower is around 550 kPa
Analysis shows that the CO2 level is normal, at around 1.4 in the fresh gas and around 6.5 at the inlet of the synthesis tower
This is the only one I know where the carbon dioxide level among the various Topsoil gas components meets the standards
Is the pressure difference in the synthesis tower around 550 kPa? It is indeed a bit high; I’m not quite sure about this. We use David’s tower, and even at the end of the catalyst’s life cycle, the pressure difference isn’t that high. It would be better if the system pressure were lower. Generally, an accumulation of inert gases or poor reaction conditions can cause the system pressure to rise. The design pressure you mentioned might be the value specified for the catalyst at the end of its life cycle. Please check the drawings to see if it’s the EOL PFD.
A pressure difference of 550 Kpa in the synthesis tower is quite high; generally, this is the level of pressure difference throughout the entire synthesis circuit, with the pressure difference within the synthesis tower itself being less than 200 Kpa. Additionally, your capacity is nearly at full load, but the production volume is still about 5 tons short. You can calculate the one-way conversion rates as well as the overall conversion rate for CO and CO2. If the conversion rates are fine, it’s possible that there is a leak in your heat exchange equipment, such as the water coolers.