1. Methanol production from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
CHE 397
Group Charlie
Priya Chetty, Scott Morgan, Brian Mottel, Daniyal Qamar, Sukhjinder Singh
Mentor: Dennis O’ Brien
Dr. Jeffery Perl

2. History
Natural gas, wood, and coal were used prior to the use of syngas
Hydrogenation of CO and CO2 at atm and 400 ˚C
In 1923 Mittasch and Pier used syngas to synthesize Methanol
Introduction of catalysts
Modern era – Copper based catalysts at affordable reaction conditions
Daniyal

3. Objectives Eliminate the dependence on natural gas
Significant reduction in total quantity of waste sent to landfills
Optimum yield of Methanol from given amount of syngas
Ensure process is economically profitable while remaining competitive in market
Produce sufficient amount to meet demand
Sukh

4. Basis Plasma Gasification of MSW to obtain syngas
Ideal syngas concentration
64 vol% H2
27 vol% CO
3 vol% CO2
6 vol% impurities
SN = [H2] - [CO2] = 2.0         [CO] + [CO2]
1 ton MSW = 102 gal Methanol
Projected 204 million gal Methanol per year
Scott
Need CO2 because it activates the catalysts
CO2 is also believed to keep the catalysts in an intermediate oxidation state (Cu0/Cu+), preventing ZnO reduction followed by brass formation.

5. Reactions CO + 2H2 ↔ CH3OH CO +H2O ↔ CO2 + H2 CO2 + H2O ↔ CH3OH +3H2O
Exothermic Reactions occur at atm over Cu-Zn-Al oxide based catalysts with no S
Temperature Upper limit 400 C to prevent Methane production
CO2 is needed to activate some catalysts
Daniyal
High P because decrease in moles when reaction occurs. If we increase pressure the reaction will try to go towards whatever decreases the pressure so towards the right(less moles less volume). Since its exothermic low temp is suitable, the reaction wants to produce more heat.

6. Reaction Conditions *Perry’s Eighth edition ** Perry’s Seventh edition
Raw Materials
Pressure
Temperature
Catalyst
Reactor
Residence Time
(CO, H2)*
340 atm
° C
ZnO-Cr2O3
Fluidized Bed
5000 GHSV
(CO,CO2, H2)**
50-100atm °C
Cu-Zn-Al
oxides
Daniyal
*Perry’s Eighth edition
** Perry’s Seventh edition

7. Basic Flow Diagram
Methanol Synthesis from MSW
Brian

8. Competing Processes Source of Methanol Pressure/Temperature
Natural Gas
Coal
Wood
Plasma Gasification of MSW
Pressure/Temperature
Sukh
Natural Gas running out and can be used for heating homes.
High Pressure maybe high yield but everything will cost more.

9. Environmental Analysis
Based on estimate of 5,000 tons/day of MSW, process will reduce landfill waste by 1.825M tons annually
Utilizing MSW also results in the capture of heavy metals which prevents water contamination due to run-off
Neutral process
Scott

10. Market Outlook MSW tipping fee is $35/ton
Methanol is currently at $1.35/gal
In US between mid-August and mid-November
Methanol contracts were up 25%
Spot Methanol were up 28%
Priya

11. Priya
Courtesy of MBET practicum project

12. Current Production
18 Methanol plants in the US, which produce 2.6 Billion gallons/yr
90 Methanol plants worldwide, which produce 11 Billion gallons/yr
Methanol industry generates $12 Billion/yr and employs 100k personnel
Priya

13. Future Objectives
Operating conditions and the cost and maintenance associated
Types and cost of equipment needed
Type and cost of catalyst(s)
Storage and transportation cost of methanol
Production of other chemicals using methanol
Brian

14. Questions???

15. References
"Fundamentals of Methanol Synthesis - Supermethanol - The GtM Concept." Home - Supermethanol - The GtM Concept. Web. 23 Jan <
Zoltan, Kish, and Ernie Dueck. "MBET Practicum Project - Waste to Methanol Pitch.”24 Apr Web. 24 Jan
Perry, Robert H., and Don W. Green. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Print.
Green, Don W.; Perry, Robert H. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Print.
"Methanol." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 24 Jan <