Alcohols synthesis using syngas: Plant design and simulation

Abstract

Syngas, a mixture of CO and H2, is one the most useful intermediates that produces many valuable products. Alcohols are among the most important of these products and include a wide range of chemical compounds from methanol and ethanol to higher carbon alcohols, which can be used as fuel additives, energy carriers, and solvents. These promising applications of alcohols, especially as clean energy sources, have attracted the attention of many researchers. Simulation and modeling of chemical processes could help to improve understanding of the whole process and increase their efficiency by optimization of the operating conditions. In addition, using mathematical tools to describe the chemical processes could save time and money. Regarding these benefits, it is necessary to evaluate the alcohols synthesis process from the viewpoint of modeling and simulation. In this chapter, due to the importance of alcohols in chemical processes, the simulation of alcohols synthesis plant from syngas is investigated with the approach of modeling and simulation of equipment. Different types of reactors and their mathematical models with the corresponding kinetic models are also discussed in detail. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.