Co-production of Hydrogen and Methanol via Auto-thermal Methanol Synthesis Process in the Recuperative Fluidized-Bed Reactor

In this work, the catalytic methanol synthesis is coupled with the catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene in a simulated integrated reactor formed of two fluidized beds separated by a wall, where heat is transferred across the surface of tube. Methanol synthesis in the exothermic side (tube side) supplies the necessary heat for the endothermic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane reaction (shell side). This is a pioneer work in the application of auto-thermal fluidized-bed concept to this kind of reactions, whose goal should be to produce more hydrogen and methanol as environment friendly fuels. The two-phase theory of fluidization predicts the performance of this novel configuration. The simulation results are compared with corresponding predictions for a conventional reactor (CR) and thermally coupled fixed-bed reactor (TCR) operated at the same feed conditions. This comparison shows the potential advantages of the suggested configuration. The results suggest that utilizing of this reactor could be feasible and beneficial. However, experimental proof of concept is needed to establish the validity and safe operation of this recuperative reactor