Methanol synthesis reactor with low-boiling coolant

摘要

For methanol synthesis reactors which are cooled by coolant circulating in tubes and at the same time vaporising, it is proposed to adjust the boiling point of the coolant (in the case of the preferred use of water by appropriate application of pressure) in such a way that it is at least 30K, preferably 40-50K, below the reaction temperature. At the large temperature difference, the heat transfer is improved to such an extent that the cooling surfaces can, in spite of their extent, be made very much smaller. In order to avoid an inadmissible lowering of the temperature of the catalyst nevertheless, it is proposed to arrange a catalyst and cooling tube (6) in mutually separate zones (4, 5) arranged alternately in succession in the direction of flow. <IMAGE>