MTG fluidized bed reactor-regenerator unit with catalyst circulation: process simulation and operation of an experimental setup

Simulation of the MTG process carried out in a fluidized bed reactor-regene rator system with catalyst circulation is studied by using the kinetic resu lts obtained in an experimental unit. Data considered covered a wide range of operating conditions including temperature, space time and average resid ence times in both reactor and regenerator. This simulation is based on the use of adequate kinetic equations for the main MTG reaction, for the catal yst deactivation and for catalyst regeneration. In addition, a third stage in the process allowing for coke equilibration, prior to its combustion, is also included. Catalyst loss due to attrition has also been taken into acc ount. An objective function based on relative production rate is optimized by changing systematically the process parameters such as temperature, spac e time and catalyst activity. Results are also validated in the experimenta l unit and demonstrate the simplicity of the reactor-regenerator system wit h catalyst circulation and the versatility of this configuration for carryi ng out the MTG process. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.