USING SYNGAS FOR PRODUCTION OF METHANOL WITH ENERGY INTEGRATION

Abstract

The purpose of this capstone project was to design a commercial methanol production plant in Kazakhstan, utilizing syngas as the raw material. The project began with a thorough literature review to compare various commercial methanol production methods. It also included a comprehensive analysis of the economic data and toxicity-based health and safety assessments of the chemicals involved. The research identified the Atyrau region as the optimal location for the plant due to its advantageous position within a tax-free Special Economic Zone, availability of raw materials, and access to transportation networks. The final design incorporated a Process Flow Diagram (PFD) featuring five major pieces of equipment: a reactor, a heat exchanger, and three distillation columns. This setup ensures the production of high-purity methanol while minimizing waste. The project also focused on optimizing the distillation column arrangement to reduce methanol loss in waste streams, thus enhancing overall efficiency. Key findings highlighted the successful selection of production rates, catalyst composition, and safety measures. The final design met all purity and water content requirements, confirming the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methanol plant. The successful completion of this project provides a robust framework for future investments in methanol production in Kazakhstan, aligning with global trends in the energy and chemical sectors. This study not only demonstrates the technical viability of the plant but also its economic and strategic importance in the context of Kazakhstan’s evolving methanol market.