Energy Efficient Distillation Synthesis

M. A. Is la and J. Cerda. A general algorithmic approach to the optimal synthesis of energy-efficient distillation train designs. Chem. Eng. Comm., 54 353, 1987. 

The conversion of natural gas to methanol via syngas is a widely used industrial process. A typical conventional process includes desulfurization of natural gas, steam reforming, methanol synthesis and purification by distillation. Steam reforming of natural is an endothermic reaction and operates at high temperatures (reformed gas effluent at about 800880°C). Methanol synthesis from syn is an exothermic reaction and operates at 200300°C. Heat integration and recovery is an important feature of the process. The trend in methanol production has been toward larger capacity and improved energy efficiency. 

---