Methanol Winkler gasifier

None of these current processes has a distinct advantage over the other two in all situations of coal gasification. However, we believe that the Winkler is best suited for the production of methanol because it yields a clean gas with a low inerts content. Other advantages include the plant s low environmental impact, the minimal coal preparation required and the simple construction of the Winkler gasifier. 

The H S containing stream from the acid gas removal unit is sent to the sulfur recovery unit to produce molten sulfur. Figure 6 is a typical process flow diagram of synthesis gas production for methanol via coal gasificiation by the Winkler gasifier. 

At present, three classical Winkler gasifiers are still operating throughout the world no new ones have been built for the past 25 years. The only commercial HTW gasifier so far was conceived as a demonstration plant for a coal throughput of approximately 30l/h and has been operating for several years now. The gas is used to produce methanol. Its coal throughput meets the demand of a 400 tpd methanol plant. Another HTW plant of the same size is currently under construction. 

Figures 1 and 2 show the process routes for methanol synthesis. The first one is based on a fluidized bed and includes a pressurized gasifier (Winkler type) that produces a very clean gas, practically free of tars and other impurities from wood distillation. The second route is based on a fixed bed...

A 1,000 ton/day methanol plant, using a Winkler type gasifier adapted to burn wood chips and to use the ICI process for synthesis, requires the following consumption of ingredients per ton of methanol ... 

Adopting 4,770 kcal/kg for the low heat value of methanol and considering the case of a Winkler type gasifier, the energy balance of the plant would be as shown in Table III ... 

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