Method of production of methanol using CO2 and H2

Abstract

Utilizing the common knowledge formula for creation of methanol CO.sub.2+3H.sub.2.fwdarw.CH.sub.3OH+H.sub.2O; for each mole of carbon dioxide, three moles of hydrogen are needed to produce one equivalent unit of methanol. Mixing two gases and producing methanol can be accomplished per the one-line diagram concept, FIG. 1, and gas mixing apparatus, FIG. 2; under high pressure (from 3250 to 5000 psi) and high temperature (750 to 800 F.) without the presence of a catalyst. The hypothesis in this case is that the closer the mixing temperature is to the auto-ignition of hydrogen, the higher is the quality of the mixing environment. The mixing temperature in my invention is guided by the auto-ignition of hydrogen in this case (auto-ignition for hydrogen is 932 F. (or 500 C.) and the auto-ignition temperature for methanol is 867 F. (or 464 C.). After mixing the two gases, the result is methanol and water. The first step in this stage is to cool the substance by way of cooling tower, followed by a pressure lowering tank. Next is a separation process to separate methanol and water. By cooling the substance/mixture about 28.4 F. (2 C.), the water will freeze, turning into ice, and ice will be removed from methanol mechanically. Water and methanol then will be stored in appropriate tanks (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. A method for the continuous mass production of methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen in absence of catalyst, comprising loading hydrogen to the top of a first supply tank that consist of 14-inch diameter, 25 feet high stainless steel pipes wrapped with electrical heating coils and equipped with an air drainage valve at the lowest level of the tank, wherein air is completely replaced by continuous and gradual loading of hydrogen; closing the air drainage valve and pressurize to about 3250 psi; heating the tank to about 7500 F; loading the bottom of a second supply tank with carbon dioxide and then heating and pressurizing in the same manner as the hydrogen supply tank; sending carbon dioxide and hydrogen to a mixing chamber to be reacted, thereby producing methanol and water; from the mixing chamber, sending methanol and water to a cooling tower, followed by a pressure lowering tank operated at less than 2 psi of pressure; sending the methanol and water to a separation tank, wherein about 28 F., frozen water is separated from methanol, and separated water and methanol are stored in appropriate tanks.

2. A mixing chamber apparatus for the continuous mass production of methanol according to claim 1, said mixing chamber comprising an upper portion, comprising a 2 ft long pipe for a carbon dioxide connected to a six-inch diameter gate valve; for hydrogen, a 6.02 ft long pipe connected with gate valve, wherein mixing chamber assembly is positioned perpendicular to the horizon; wherein pipes for carbon dioxide and hydrogen are connected via gate valve and then to carbon dioxide and hydrogen supply tanks, respectively; said mixing chamber comprising air drainage and mix-chamber drainage valves.

Description

4. LIST OF FIGURES AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) FIG. 1: Diagram Outlining Production Plant (one-line diagram)

(2) Item-1 and Item-2, supply tanks for hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas. They are 14-inch diameter, 80 schedule stainless steel pipes, and are 25 feet high, wrapped around with electrical heating coils.

(3) Item-3, mixing chamber, where the reaction between hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas takes place

(4) Item-4 depicts the cooling tower

(5) Item-5 depicts the pressure reduction tank

(6) Item-6 depicts a separation tank for methanol and water with operating temperature of 2 C.

(7) Item-7 depicts two separate storage tanks for methanol and water

(8) FIG. 2: Diagram of the Mixing Chamber with detail

(9) Item-1 depicts a valve for the CO.sub.2 supply line

(10) Item-2 depicts an air drainage valve only

(11) Item-3 depicts an 80 schedule, 6-inch diameter, 2-feet long stainless-steel pipe

(12) Item-4 depicts a valve from the CO.sub.2 tank at the time of the replacement of air with CO.sub.2

(13) Item-5 depicts a 6-inch diameter gate valve

(14) Item-6 depicts a loading valve for hydrogen

(15) Item-7 depicts an 80 schedule, 6-inch diameter, 6.02-feet long stainless-steel pipe

(16) Item-8 depicts the air drainage valve to replace air with hydrogen

(17) Item-9 depicts the drainage valve for the newly created products (methanol and water) of the chemical reaction

5. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(18) This method does not need a catalyst and does not create leftover byproducts.

(19) Using this fuel for internal combustion engines will have zero impact to the environment. It works as follows: Assuming hydrogen is created via electrolysis (water and electricity) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is removed from the air. At the time of fuel combustion, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) will be released back to the atmosphere. Hydrogen (H.sub.2) is created by electrolysis and oxygen is released to the atmosphere. At the time of the fuel usage, oxygen will be used for combustion, creating zero impact to the environment.

(20) Optimum pressure and temperature for mixing hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases are unknown at this time. Additionally, for the mixing chamber apparatus, optimum geometric dimensions are unknown.