INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR MAKING ACETIC ACID AND METHANOL

摘要

The present invention provides a plant and a process that produces both methanol and acetic acid under substantially stoichiometric conditions, wherein an unadjusted syngas having an R ratio less than 2.0 is provided. All or part of the unadjusted syngas is supplied to a separator unit to recover CO2, CO and hydrogen. At least a portion of any one or combination of the recovered CO2 , CO and hydrogen is added to any remaining syngas not so treated or alternatively combines in the absence of any remaining unadjusted syngas to yield an adjusted syngas with an R ratio of 2.0 to 2.9 which is used to produce methanol. Any recovered CO2 not used to adjust the R ratio of the unadjusted syngas can be supplied to the reformer to enhance CO production. At least a portion of the recovered CO is reacted in the acetic acid reactor with at least a portion of the produced methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.