In this study, exothermic reaction of methanol
synthesis is coupled with endothermic reaction of dehydrogenation
of cyclohexane in a two-packed bed reactor in order
to simultaneous production of hydrogen, methanol and benzene.
Steady-state, heterogeneous model predicts the performance
of this configuration. The simulation results for
co-current and counter-current modes in thermally coupled
methanol reactor (TCMR) are investigated and compared
with data of an industrial scale conventional methanol reactor
(CMR) with same feed conditions. In addition, the variation
of different operating parameters along the reactor has been
considered. The simulation results represent 1.89%enhancements
in methanol recovery yield of co-current mode in
TCMR in comparison with CMR. Also, results show that
hydrogen recovery yield in dehydrogenation of cyclohexane
side in co-current and counter-current modes of TCMR is
equal to 2.352 and 2.255, respectively. Finally, TCMR in cocurrent
mode is a feasible reactor for cost reduction because it
has benefits such as production of multiple products, enhancement
of productivity by shifting equilibrium of reactions to
forward, large savings in the operational and capital costs,
compact and efficient process.
M.