Process simulation of methanol production via carbon dioxide hydrogenation

Abstract

The performance of a packed bed reactor for CO2 conversion to methanol was investigated. Because of the exothermic reaction, temperature and concentration gradients happen along the reactor. A 2D packed-bed reactor model was applied for numerical investigations, coupled with detailed reaction kinetics and transport phenomena. The effect of feed inlet pressure and temperature on CO2 conversion and temperature profiles along the reactor was evaluated. The results showed that firstly increase in the temperature in the reactor because of the presence of exothermic reactions and then slight decrease in the temperature at top section of the reactor. Pressure was decrease from 55 bar to around 54 bar along the reactor. It was found that the CO2 conversion at outlet of reactor was 18.18 % at T = 475 K and it was increased to 23 % at temperature of 498 K and 555 K. The CO2 conversion was reached its maximum at short distance from the reactor entrance at T = 555 K. Also, the outlet temperature of gas mixture was increased from 522.53 K to 534.56 K with increasing feed inlet pressure from 35 bar to 55 bar. The CO2 conversion was 18.12 %, 20.77 %, and 22.96 % at pressures equal to 35, 45, and 55 bar respectively.