Description
Methanol is a colorless liquid, soluble in water and has a mild alcohol smell. Since 1800, this upstream product has been widely used to produce industrial chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, dimethyl tetraphthalate, methyl methacrylate and many other chemical compounds. Almost 60% of this material is used in the production of chemicals and the remaining 40% is used for fuel. This material has different applications in the field of fuel. Direct mixing with gasoline, raw material for the synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (added to gasoline), raw material for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (added to LPG), as well as the synthesis of gasoline from methanol (MTG), among the applications of this product Petrochemicals are in the field of fuel.
Methanol Production Method
There are different ways to produce this substance, but they all almost end up with the following two reactions:
CO + 2 H2 → CH3OH
CO2 + 3 H2 → CH3OH + H2O
The primary feed used in all production units of this substance is synthesis gas. Synthesis gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). Synthesis gas can be obtained from various methods and sources such as natural gas, coal, biomass, etc. Today, due to its cheapness and availability, natural gas is generally used to produce synthesis gas, followed by this substance, but the use of coal is also increasing day by day.
Methanol is one of the three most important products of the chemical industry in the world and many substances are derived from it. Due to the predictable lack of energy sources in the future, the direct consumption of methanol as a clean fuel or in the production of hydrogen for fuel cells is of great interest.
Main Applications of Methanol
Methanol is used as one of the strategic products in the production of many final products such as solvents, paints, plastics and antifreeze. The variety of methanol derivatives and its use in different industries has made this product a strategic product. Therefore, its price fluctuation affects many manufacturing industries.
Most of the methanol produced in the world is used to produce formaldehydes, acetic acid and MTBE. Acetic acid (ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, C2H4O2): or the essence of vinegar has a very old history. Mankind has had access to this substance since the distant past through non-synthetic methods, mainly through fermentation and distillation. It has been used in the production of food, medicine and industries such as leather making and dyes, etc.
Explanatory Plan of Methanol Unit (Design and Economy Project)
This project was first simulated by Hysys and Aspen Plus software, and then an economic analysis was presented. The data of one of the Hysys and Aspen Plus simulations of your choice will be sent to you along with the text of the design and economics project (explanatory plan). The cost of one of the simulations with the aforementioned industrial data and the text of the explanatory plan is 45$.
