A New Process for Co-Production of Ammonia & Methanol

Abstract:
A new process for co-production of ammonia and
methanol is proposed. The process involves the production
of synthesis gas by oxygen blown autothermal reformer
(ATR) at a pressure of 40-100 bars, a methanol synthesis
loop at a pressure of 50-100 bars and an ammonia synthesi s
loop at a pressure of 200-300 bars. The oxygen required for
the ATR is supplied by an air separation plant.
The synthesis gases from the ATR are cooled and
compressed, in a first stage compression, to the required
methanol loop pressure. The purge stream from the methanol
loop is sent to an intermediate temperature shift converter
ITSC followed by a physical solvent CO2 removal unit and
them purified in a pressure Swing Adsorber (PSA).
The puri fied hydrogen from the PSA together with the
almost pure nitrogen from the air separation plant are
recompressed, in a second stage compression, to the
required ammonia loop pressure. Ammonia condensation
takes place at high pressure by cooling water then by chilled
fluid cooled in the air separation plant.