Systems and methods for producing methanol are disclosed. A synthesis gas stream is split to form a first synthesis gas stream and a second synthesis gas stream. The first synthesis gas stream is fed into a primary methanol synthesis unit. The second synthesis gas stream is fed into a secondary methanol synthesis unit for producing methanol. The first effluent stream from the primary methanol synthesis unit and/or the second effluent stream from the secondary methanol synthesis unit are further separated to produce methanol product stream and one or more recycle streams comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and an inert gas. The one or more recycle streams are recycled to the primary methanol synthesis unit.

Systems and methods for producing methanol are disclosed. A synthesis gas stream is split to form a first synthesis gas stream and a second synthesis gas stream. The first synthesis gas stream is fed into a primary methanol synthesis unit. The second synthesis gas stream is fed into a secondary methanol synthesis unit for producing methanol. The first effluent stream from the primary methanol synthesis unit and/or the second effluent stream from the secondary methanol synthesis unit are further separated to produce methanol product stream and one or more recycle streams comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and an inert gas. The one or more recycle streams are recycled to the primary methanol synthesis unit.

The present invention concerns a multifunctional catalyst for the conversion of CO.sub.2 into useful products, such as CO via the reverse water gas shift reaction. The catalyst according to the invention efficiently combined a water sorption functionality with at least one catalytic functionality into a single particle, by having a solid water sorbent impregnated with at least one metal capable of converting CO.sub.2 from a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. The catalyst according to the invention allows for higher selectivity in the conversion of CO.sub.2, at more lenient conditions in terms of temperature and pressure, and improved stability of the catalyst itself. The invention also concerns a process for converting CO.sub.2, utilizing the catalyst and the use of the catalyst in the conversion of CO.sub.2.

The present invention concerns a multifunctional catalyst for the conversion of CO.sub.2 into useful products, such as CO via the reverse water gas shift reaction. The catalyst according to the invention efficiently combined a water sorption functionality with at least one catalytic functionality into a single particle, by having a solid water sorbent impregnated with at least one metal capable of converting CO.sub.2 from a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. The catalyst according to the invention allows for higher selectivity in the conversion of CO.sub.2, at more lenient conditions in terms of temperature and pressure, and improved stability of the catalyst itself. The invention also concerns a process for converting CO.sub.2, utilizing the catalyst and the use of the catalyst in the conversion of CO.sub.2.

An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.

An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.

Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

A process for preparing methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a methanol synthesis unit and working up the reaction mixture obtained stepwise to isolate the methanol, wherein the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, dimethyl ether and methane components of value from the streams separated off in the isolation of the methanol from the methanol reaction stream are combusted with an oxygenous gas, and the carbon dioxide in the resultant flue gas is separated off in a carbon dioxide recovery unit and recycled to the methanol synthesis unit.