Methanol synthesis at near-critical conditions combined with ATR synthesis gas technology: The technology choice for large-scale methanol production

New technical development primarily within the area of synthesis gas preparation based on autothermal reforming (ATR) has opened the door for considering considerably larger methanol plant capacities than normal in the industry today. This paper deals with taking advantage of this synthesis gas preparation capability in an optimal manner via applying a new methanol synthesis technology. The synthesis technology is operated at near-critical conditions. This makes it possible to design plants without recycle of unconverted gas in the synthesis section.