Optimization of methanol synthesis reaction on Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/ZrO2 catalyst using genetic algorithm: Maximization of the synergetic effect by the optimal CO2 fraction

Abstract

A kinetics model that takes the synergetic effect of carbon dioxide fraction on the methanol production rate into account is applied to the development of a mathematical model for the bench-scale reactor. A comparison between the simulation results and the experimental data corroborates the validity of the model. Several optimization strategies are suggested to maximize the methanol yield, among which the utilization of piecewise trajectories for wall temperature along the reactor axis as well as the optimal CO 2 fraction at the inlet of the reactor is found to be the best strategy in the sense of methanol production per unit amount of the feed, in such a way that the optimization strategy considers the variation of the reaction temperature in the reactor and maximizes the synergetic effect on the production rate by the addition of carbon dioxide.

Techno-economic analysis of methanol synthesis from syngas derived from steam reforming of crude glycerol

“…Chemical equilibrium can be compromised with temperature [61]. Since lower temperatures result in a higher equilibrium yield for methanol and vice-versa, optimum temperature control is essential for the proper operation of a methanol synthesis reactor due to the overall severity of the temperature effect [65].…”

Comparison between two methods of methanol production from carbon dioxide

“…It can be seen that the addition of zirconium increases the conversion of CO 2, whilst the conversion of CO remains approximately the same. Even though the conversion is thermodynamically favoured at higher temperatures, thermal deactivation of the catalyst occurs at above 250 C, and that is why the maximal conversions are observed at temperatures near 250 C [7].…”