Fuel Science & Technology International, Vol.13, No.3, 331-343, 1995
LIQUID-PHASE METHANOL SYNTHESIS IN AN ENTRAINED REACTOR-DEVELOPMENT OF A GAS-LIQUID MASS-TRANSFER CORRELATION
Research on various aspects of the methanol synthesis was performed in a liquid entrained reactor. The catalyst-oil slurry is pumped through the tubular entrained reactor and syngas is fed cocurrently with the upward flow of slurry. The effect of different operating conditions, syngas composition and catalyst loadings on the productivity of methanol, was studied. The data obtained from the experiments at high catalyst loadings in slurry, was used to develop a gas-liquid mass transfer correlation for the liquid phase methanol synthesis in an entrained reactor. The productivity of methanol in an entrained reactor was then predicted using the developed mass transfer correlation. This predictive model also helps in the design, development, scale-up and commercialization of the liquid phase methanol synthesis process in an entrained reactor.