0
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering | Volume 137 | Issue 6 | Technical Brief
Technical Brief

Practical Experience With a Mobile Methanol Synthesis Device

[+] Author and Article Information
Eric R. Morgan

Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Northern Arizona University,
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
e-mail: Eric.Morgan@nau.edu

Thomas L. Acker

Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Northern Arizona University,
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
e-mail: Tom.Acker@nau.edu

1Corresponding author.

Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING: INCLUDING WIND ENERGY AND BUILDING ENERGY CONSERVATION. Manuscript received December 8, 2014; final manuscript received August 5, 2015; published online October 15, 2015. Assoc. Editor: Wojciech Lipinski.

J. Sol. Energy Eng 137(6), 064506 (Oct 15, 2015) (10 pages) Paper No: SOL-14-1369; doi: 10.1115/1.4031513 History: Received December 08, 2014; Revised August 05, 2015
Article
References
Figures
Tables

A methanol synthesis unit (MSU) that directly converts carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol and water was developed and tested. The MSU consists of: a high-pressure side that includes a compressor, a reactor, and a throttling valve; and a low-pressure side that includes a knockout drum, and a mixer where fresh gas enters the system. Methanol and water are produced at high pressure in the reactor and then exit the system under low pressure and temperature in the knockout drum. The remaining, unreacted recycle gas that leaves the knockout drum is mixed with fresh synthesis gas before being sent back through the synthesis loop. The unit operates entirely on electricity and includes a high-pressure electrolyzer to obtain gaseous hydrogen and oxygen directly from purified water. Thus, the sole inputs to the trailer are water, carbon dioxide, and electricity, while the sole outputs are methanol, oxygen, and water. A distillation unit separates the methanol and water mixture on site so that the synthesized water can be reused in the electrolyzer. Here, we describe and characterize the operation of the MSU and offer some possible design improvements for future iterations of the device, based on experience.
FIGURES IN THIS ARTICLE
<>
Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Your Session has timed out. Please sign back in to continue.

References

Figures

Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 1

Energy densities of common fuels [44–46]

+Energy densities of common fuels [44–46]
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
Energy densities of common fuels [44–46]
Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 2

The fully assembled mobile MSU at NAU. Numbers correspond to major pieces of equipment: (1) Electrolyzer; (2) bottled synthesis gases; (3) low pressure buffer; (4) compressor; (5) high-pressure buffer; (6) methanol reactor/heating elements; (7) throttle valve; (8) condenser; (9) knockout drum; (10) distillation column; and (11) fuse box. High pressure (≈100 bar) operation (5,6); low pressure (≈30 bar) operation (1, 3, 8, 9); gradients represent transitional pressure operation in the direction of the gradient.

+The fully assembled mobile MSU at NAU. Numbers correspond to major pieces of equipment: (1) Electrolyzer; (2) bottled synthesis gases; (3) low pressure buffer; (4) compressor; (5) high-pressure buffer; (6) methanol reactor/heating elements; (7) throttle valve; (8) condenser; (9) knockout drum; (10) distillation column; and (11) fuse box. High pressure (≈100 bar) operation (5,6); low pressure (≈30 bar) operation (1, 3, 8, 9); gradients represent transitional pressure operation in the direction of the gradient.
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
The fully assembled mobile MSU at NAU. Numbers correspond to major pieces of equipment: (1) Electrolyzer; (2) bottled synthesis gases; (3) low pressure buffer; (4) compressor; (5) high-pressure buffer; (6) methanol reactor/heating elements; (7) throttle valve; (8) condenser; (9) knockout drum; (10) distillation column; and (11) fuse box. High pressure (≈100 bar) operation (5,6); low pressure (≈30 bar) operation (1, 3, 8, 9); gradients represent transitional pressure operation in the direction of the gradient.
Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 3

A process flow diagram of the NAU reactor

+A process flow diagram of the NAU reactor
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
A process flow diagram of the NAU reactor
Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 4

Reactor flow profile as simulated in the COCO model

+Reactor flow profile as simulated in the COCO model
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
Reactor flow profile as simulated in the COCO model
Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 5

Bubble plot of reactor outputs for 23 one-hour trial runs

+Bubble plot of reactor outputs for 23 one-hour trial runs
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
Bubble plot of reactor outputs for 23 one-hour trial runs
Grahic Jump Location
Fig. 6

Steady-state operating characteristics of the MSU from the northern Arizona field test site

+Steady-state operating characteristics of the MSU from the northern Arizona field test site
View Large  |  Save Figure  |  Download Slide (.ppt)
Steady-state operating characteristics of the MSU from the northern Arizona field test site

Tables

Errata

Discussions

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging and repositioning the boxes below.

Related Journal Articles
Related eBook Content
Completing the Picture
Air Engines> Chapter 11
New Generation Reactors
Energy and Power Generation Handbook> Chapter 23
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines> Chapter 11
Combined Cycle Power Plant
Energy and Power Generation Handbook> Chapter 27
Siphon Seals and Water Legs
Hydraulics, Pipe Flow, Industrial HVAC & Utility Systems> Chapter 3
Topic Collections

Sorry! You do not have access to this content. For assistance or to subscribe, please contact us:

  • TELEPHONE: 1-800-843-2763 (Toll-free in the USA)
  • EMAIL: asmedigitalcollection@asme.org
Sign In