Optimization of Methanol Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen: Demonstration of a Pilot-Scale Carbon-Neutral Synthetic Fuels Process

A pilot-scale reactor system was developed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a carbon-neutral synthetic fuel from carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases. A pilot-scale, catalytic fixed bed reactor system was constructed to produce methanol and was evaluated for performance under a variety of experimental conditions. Reactor output was measured gravimetrically as a function of temperature, pressure, and space velocity in order to determine the most efficient and practical conditions for producing methanol. Reactor performance was quantified in terms of molar carbon conversion, selectivity, and space−time yield. Of the conditions studied, it was found that optimum wt % yield and carbon conversion of 49% and 14.3%, respectively, was achieved at 240 °C, 1800 psi, and gas hourly space velocity of 3300 h−1. When considering limitations of equipment and apparatus, however, a more practical operating pressure would likely be 1400 psi, which resulted in a single-pass carbon conversion of 9.7% and a 4...