Patent ID: 6274096
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B01J,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for retrofitting an original methanol plant, wherein the original methanol plant comprises (1) at least one steam reformer for converting a hydrocarbon to a syngas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (2) a heat recovery section for cooling the syngas stream, (3) a compression unit for compressing the syngas stream, and (4) a methanol synthesis loop for converting at least a portion of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the syngas stream to methanol, into a retrofitted plant for manufacturing a product from carbon monoxide and methanol selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, acetic anhydride, methyl formate, methyl acetate and combinations thereof, comprising the steps of:diverting a portion of the syngas stream from at least one reformer to a separation unit;operating the methanol synthesis loop with a feed comprising the remaining syngas stream to produce less methanol than the original methanol plant;operating the separation unit to separate the diverted syngas into at least a carbon monoxide-rich stream and a hydrogen-rich stream, wherein the quantity of hydrogen in the hydrogen-rich stream is greater than any net hydrogen production of the original methanol plant;reacting the carbon monoxide-rich stream from the separation unit with the methanol from the methanol synthesis loop to form the product, wherein the diversion of the syngas stream is balanced for the approximately stoichiometric production of the methanol from the methanol synthesis loop and the carbon monoxide-rich stream from the separation unit for conversion to the product.