Aspen plus Simulation and Analysis of Methanol Synthesis Process

Abstract

According to the actual situation of methanol production process, Aspen Plus software is used to build the methanol synthesis process flow model. The main and side reaction system is built in the model, which is realized by connecting the main and side reactors in series and setting the conversion rate of side reaction. Considering the model validation and process integrity, the methanol rectification system is connected in series on the basis of the methanol synthesis model, and the steady state simulation of the whole process is carried out. The methanol purity simulated is 99.74%, which shows that the model is reasonable. Through sensitivity analysis, the influence of feed flow change on the flow and purity of crude methanol and the influence of converter temperature change on the flow and purity of crude methanol were investigated. The relationship between the change of control parameters and the actual yield and equipment safety was preliminarily analyzed in order to provide reference and guidance for the development of methanol synthesis process.