Patent ID: 7214721

Claim:
A process for producing methanol from a synthesis gas comprising: (a) supplying the synthesis gas mixture to a methanol synthesis reactor system comprising: (i) a first reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having an inlet for supply of synthesis gas and an outlet for recovery of a first methanol-containing stream, said first reactor being charged with a first volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the synthesis gas flows and on which in use, partial conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol and un-reacted synthesis gas will occur adiabatically, and (ii) a second reactor adapted to be maintained under methanol synthesis conditions having an inlet for supply of the gaseous first methanol-containing stream which has not been subjected to cooling after being recovered from the outlet of the first reactor, an outlet for recovery of a second methanol-containing stream and indirect coolings means, said second reactor being charged with a second volume of a methanol synthesis catalyst through which the gaseous first methanol-containing, a stream flows outwardly from the inlet and on which, in use, further conversion of the synthesis gas to a product gas mixture comprising methanol will occur, wherein, when said first and second reactors are zones in a single reactor, the first catalyst and the second catalyst are separated from each other wherein said system is maintained under methanol synthesis conditions; (b) recovering from the methanol synthesis reactor system a product gas mixture comprising methanol and an un-reacted material of the synthesis gas mixture; (c) supplying material of the product gas mixture to a methanol recovery zone maintained wider methanol recovery conditions; and (d) recovering from the methanol recovery zone a crude methanol product stream and a vaporous stream comprising un-reacted material of the synthesis gas mixture.