Reactor types for commercial-scale methanol-to-olefins (MTO) processes
in the ethene mode, using a small-pore molecular-sieve catalyst, have
been evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. A kinetic model
has been developed via an iterative process of model formulation, par
ameter estimation, and model validation. The final model consists of 1
2 reactions involving 6 component lumps plus coke. Important factors a
re the occurrence of consecutive reactions and the effect of coke on b
oth the activity and selectivity. This kinetic model has been implemen
ted in mathematical models of various reactors for the estimation of p
roduct selectivities and main reactor dimensions. These formed the bas
is for a comparison of different reactor types for a commercial-scale
process. A circulating fast fluidized-bed reactor and a turbulent flui
dized-bed reactor emerged as the most promising reactor systems for MT
O in the ethene mode; ethene/propene ratios of 1-1.5 can be achieved w
ith realistic reactor dimensions.