METHANOL SYNTHESIS

Abstract

A method for synthesizing methanol from a raw material using a set of process parameters, wherein a mathematical model is provided that is configured for calculating, based on the process parameters and on at least one material property of the raw material, an expected amount of at least one by-product of the synthesizing of the methanol, wherein the following steps are performed at least once in the stated order, applying the mathematical model to current values for the process parameters, and changing a respective set point for at least one of the process parameters such that based on the mathematical model a lower amount of the by-products is expected under condition that at least a predetermined amount of the methanol can be synthesized,

Claims

1. A method for synthesizing methanol from a raw material using a set of process parameters, wherein a mathematical mod& is provided that is configured for calculating, based on the process parameters and on at least one material property of the raw material, an expected amount of at least one by-product of the synthesizing of the methanol, wherein the following steps are performed at least once in the stated order: a) applying the mathematical model to current values for the process parameters, b) changing a respective set point for at least one of the process parameters such that based on the mathematical model a lower amount of the by-products is expected under condition that at least a predetermined amount of the methanol can be synthesized.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps a) and b) are performed repeatedly in an alternating manner.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps a) and b) are performed while the methanol is synthesized continuously.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps a) and b) constitute a real time control of the process parameters.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed such that the expected amount of the at least one by-product is minimized.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one by-product is are chosen from the following: alcohols, ketones, paraffins, esters, ethers.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step a) for at least one of the process parameters a respective current measurement result is input into the mathematical model as the current value.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step a) for at least one of the process parameters a respective current set point is input into the mathematical model as the current value.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring an actual amount of the generated at least one by-product and comparing the result with a corresponding prediction obtained according to step a).

10. A method for synthesizing methanol from raw material using a set of process parameters, wherein a mathematical model is provided that is configured for calculating, based on the process parameters and on at least one material property of the raw material, an expected amount of at least one by-product of the synthesizing of the methanol, wherein, with the mathematical model, a set of optimized values for the process parameters is determined by minimizing the expected amount of the at least one by-product under condition that at least a predetermined amount of the methanol can be synthesized, and wherein the methanol is synthesized from the raw material using values for the process parameters that each deviate by less than 20% from the respective optimized value.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the methanol is synthesized from the raw material using values for the process parameters that each deviate by less than 10% from of the respective optimized value.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein a respective set of optimized values for the process parameters is determined at different points of time, and wherein the methanol is synthesized from the raw material using values for the process parameters that each deviate by less than 20% from the respective optimized value of the most recent set of optimized values.

13. A device for synthesizing methanol comprising a reactor and a control unit configured for performing a method according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0043] In the following the invention will be described with respect to the figure. The figure shows a preferred embodiment, to which the invention is not limited. The figure and the dimensions shown therein are only schematic. The figure shows:

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a device for synthesizing methanol in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a device 8 for synthesizing methanol 1. The device 8 comprises a reactor 9, in which the methanol 1 can be synthesized from raw material 2. Besides the methanol 1, also at least one by-product 7 can be generated. Further, the device 8 comprises a control unit 10, which is configured for performing one of the following methods.

[0046] Both methods are configured for synthesizing the methanol 1 from the raw material 2 using a set of process parameters 3. In the control unit 10 a mathematical model 4 is implemented that is configured for calculating, based on the process parameters 3 and on at least one material property 5 of the raw material 2, an expected amount 6 of the at least one by-product 7 of the synthesizing of the methanol 1. Besides the mathematical model 4, the control unit 10 also comprises a processor 11.

[0047] In a first method the following steps are performed at least once in the stated order: [0048] a) applying the mathematical model 4 to current values for the process parameters 3, [0049] b) changing a respective set point for at least one of the process parameters 3 such that based on the mathematical model 4 a lower amount of the by-products 7 is expected under condition that at least a predetermined amount of the methanol 1 can be synthesized.

[0050] In a second method, with the mathematical model 4, a set of optimized values for the process parameters 3 is determined by minimizing the expected amount 6 of the at least one by-product 7 under condition that at least a predetermined amount of the methanol 1 can be synthesized, and wherein the methanol 1 is synthesized from the raw material 2 using values for the process parameters 3 that each deviate by less than 20% from the respective optimized value.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0051] 1 methanol

[0052] 2 raw material

[0053] 3 process parameter

[0054] 4 mathematical model

[0055] 5 material property

[0056] 6 expected amount

[0057] 7 by-product

[0058] 8 device

[0059] 9 reactor

[0060] 10 control unit

[0061] 11 processor

[0062] It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above.