Optimization of Methanol Yield from a Lurgi Reactor

Methanol is an important chemical with the potential to become an alternative fuel. An optimization study was performed for a Lurgi methanol synthesis reactor using the commercial process simulator Aspen Plus. The optimization routine is coupled with a steady-state model of the methanol synthesis reactor. Syngas inlet temperature, steam drum pressure, and cooling water volumetric flow rate were optimized so that methanol production in the reactor outlet was maximized. The methanol yield increased by 7.04%.