Methanol synthesis chemistry and process engineering aspects: a review with consequence to Botswana chemical industries

Abstract

In a highly competitive world of commercial production of methanol, it is critical to understand and get methanol (CH3OH) synthesis chemistry and process engineering aspects of methanol production correctly. Methanol synthesis chemistry knowledge is invaluable as it is applied throughout the whole process of process design, plant design, optimization and during operation of methanol plant. A comprehensive review of methanol synthesis chemistry- for synthesizing methanol from syngas (containing CO2, CO and H2) over Cu-based catalyst and engineering aspects are covered in this review paper. The paper provides an overview of the chemistry behind synthesis of methanol (via hydrogenation of carbon oxides, CO and CO2, and water gas shift reaction), kinetics and thermodynamics of low pressure process and process engineering aspects of methanol synthesis, it also assesses the technical practicality of using low sulphur, sub- bituminous coal from Botswana to produce methanol.