Patent ID: 6780395
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B01D,C01B,C10G

Abstract:
A method for producing a synthesis gas with a controlled hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratio, which ratio is tailored to meet the desired operating requirements of an oxoalcohol process, comprising reforming a feed containing methane to form a first mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, compressing said first mixture to a pressure of from about 600 to about 2,000 psig at a temperature of from about 80 to about 120Â° F., subjecting all of said compressed first mixture to a membrane gas separation process consisting of an asymmetric, skin type, solution diffusion process that employs a hydrostatic pressure differential across the membrane of from about 0.1 to about 1 MPa, that favors the separation of hydrogen from a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and inerts, and that has a transmember pressure drop of from about 500 psi to about 1,500 psi, wherein a portion of said hydrogen in said first mixture is separated from said first mixture to produce a separate second mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and having a hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratio of from 1/1 to 1.1/1, said second mixture having said tailored hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratio for the operation of said oxoalcohol process.