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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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4. Make methanol via catalytic conversion<br />

The two-stage process <strong>of</strong> converting methane to methanol is characterised by the<br />

following chemical equation when no carbon dioxide is available [3],<br />

2CH4 + 2H2O 2CH3OH + 2H2<br />

( 64 kg CH4 + 108 kg H2O 128 kg CH3OH + 8 kg H2O )<br />

and by the following equation if carbon dioxide is available,<br />

6CH4 + 4H2O + 2CO2 8CH3OH<br />

( 192 kg CH4 + 144 kg H2O + 176 kg CO2 512 kg CH3OH )<br />

The methane production rate by weight (in kg/hr) is again determined using<br />

Equation 6.19, and the production rate <strong>of</strong> carbon dioxide is calculated using,<br />

CO2 Production = Methane x (100 - %Methane) x CO2Density (6.21)<br />

Rate (kg/hr) CH4Density x %Methane<br />

Where Methane = Methane production rate (kg/hr)<br />

%Methane = Percentage <strong>of</strong> methane in biogas by volume<br />

CO2Density = Density <strong>of</strong> carbon dioxide (kg/m 3 )<br />

CH4Density = Density <strong>of</strong> methane (kg/m 3 )<br />

If there is sufficient carbon dioxide to allow the second equation to be used, or if<br />

extra carbon dioxide may be used as necessary, the methanol production rate is<br />

calculated using Equation 6.22, and any extra carbon dioxide required is<br />

calculated in a similar manner.<br />

Methanol Production = 512 x Methane x Percent (6.22)<br />

Rate (litres/hr) 192 x Density x 100<br />

196

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