Enhancement of hydrogen production via coupling of MCH dehydrogenation reaction and methanol synthesis process by using thermally coupled heat exchanger reactor

In the present study, hydrogen and methanol production rates are simultaneously investigated through the process intensification (PI) concept. PI is a strategy for reduction of emissions as well as consumption of energy and materials. Endothermic dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane is supposed to occur in the shell side of conventional methanol synthesis reactor. The reactor is consisted of two thermally coupled concentric tubular reactors. The rate of the dehydrogenation reaction can be adjusted according to the generated heat in the exothermic side. This is like a smart cooler. By using this new configuration, the equilibrium condition in the methanol synthesis (at the last part of the reactor) can be controlled in order to enhance the production rate. The effect of various operating conditions is investigated through this article. The results of simulation are compared with the corresponded outcome of the conventional methanol reactor. Innovations in reactor configuration, which somehow could be the heart of chemical processes, are often preferred to be the starting point of revamping a process. An investigation in relation to the environmental aspects, commercial viability and economic feasibility of the proposed configuration is necessary in order to consider commercialization of the process. Copyright (C) 2010, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.