Co-processing coal and natural gas by the Hynol Process for enhanced methanol production and reduced CO{sub 2} emissions

The Hynol Process for conversion of coal and natural gas to methanol as a liquid fuel consists of three consecutive unit operations: (1) hydrogasification of coal, (2) steam reforming of the methane formed and added natural gas feedstock, and (3) catalytic methanol synthesis. The Hynol Process is a total recycle process. Using a process simulation computer program, mass and energy balances and yields and efficiency data have been obtained for a range of natural gas to coal feedstock ratios. Although the methanol yield increases with natural gas to coal feed ratio, the cost of feedstock per unit methanol is insensitive over a wide range of feedstock ratios. The Hynol Process produces a 13% increase in methanol yield compared to the equivalent of two separate conventional coal gasification and natural gas reforming plants. The CO{sub 2} emissions are reduced by 22% for the Hynol plant compared to the conventional processes with greater CO{sub 2} reductions at lower gas to coal feedstock ratios. A preliminary cost estimate for a 10,000 tons/day Hynol methanol plant indicates a lower production cost than the current cost of methanol by the conventional natural gas reforming plant. The lower unit energy cost for coal is beneficial in reducing the methanol cost in the Hynol Process