Simulation of methanol production from residual biomasses in a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 packed bed reactor

Abstract

This article aims to simulate an algorithm constructed in MATLAB to represent the catalytic conversion of SYNGAS into methanol in a packed-bed reactor, based on chemical kinetics for a heterogeneous system with a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 as a catalyst, and complementary math and phenomenological models, as a pressure drop and catalyst deactivation. Model validation is developed, comparing reference results and the results by running the algorithm in MATLAB using a reference SYNGAS composition. Also, the constructed model considers a catalyst deactivation by sintering and pressure drop along the reactor.  Several parameters were evaluated to identify the pro conditions for methyl alcohol production; these parameters include the gasifying agent selection, the biomass and steam ratio effect, and the biomass origin.