Coal-to-Methanol Via New Processes under Development: An Engineering and Economic Evaluation

摘要

This report presents the results of a screening study evaluating two coal-to-methanol routes via new processes under development. For the purpose of this study, two coals have been investigated in two different plant configurations: (1) Illinois No. 6 bituminous coal in an all methanol scheme, and (2) Wyodak subbituminous coal in a methanol and distillate fuel oil coproduction scheme. The all methanol production scheme, proposed for the Illinois No. 6 coal, incorporates the Texaco coal water slurry gasification process for the production of synthesis gas. In the case of Wyodak coal a noncatalytic liquefaction process was incorporated to first liquefy the coal to produce distillate fuel oil and then gasify the liquefaction residue slurry in the Texaco oil slurry gasification to produce synthesis gas and hydrogen. In both schemes the Liquid Phase Methanol process was used for the synthesis of methanol from cleaned and conditioned synthesis gas. All other processes incorporated in the plant configurations have been commercially proven in the petrochemical, chemical, or petroleum refinery industry. The conceptual designs for the two grass roots coal conversion complexes each designed to produce approximately 300 billion Btu per day of storable fuels are presented; included are overall block flow diagrams, steam and utility balances, and water management schemes. Cost estimates, economic assessments, and overall thermal efficiencies are provided for each of the two processing schemes considered. (ERA citation 05:005495)