IMPROVEMENTS IN THE UTILISATION OF METHANE

摘要

A process for use in the production of methanol from a methane gas stream wherein the process includes the following steps: a) providing a gas feed stream including methane and steam to a convection steam reforming reactor thereby producing an outlet stream of synthesis gas including carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen, wherein the gas feed stream within the convection steam reforming reactor is heated by means of indirect contact with an inlet stream of hot gas entering the convection steam reforming reactor thereby providing an outlet stream of flue gas; b) combusting the outlet stream of flue gas and using the resultant hot gas to drive a hot gas expansion turbine; and c) compressing the outlet stream of synthesis gas to a sufficient pressure to produce methanol wherein at least part of the energy used to compress the outlet stream of synthesis gas is provided by the hot gas expansion turbine.