In this work, a fluidized-bed membrane dual-type reactor was evaluated for CO2 removal in methanol synthesis process. The feed synthesis gas is preheated in the tubes of the gas-cooled reactor and flowing in a counter-current mode with reacting gas mixture in the shell side. Due to the hydrogen partial pressure driving force, hydrogen can penetrate from feed synthesis gas into the reaction side through the membrane. The outlet synthesis gas from this reactor is fed to tubes of the water-cooled packed-bed reactor and the chemical reaction is initiated by the catalyst. The methanol-containing gas leaving this reactor is directed into the shell of the gas-cooled reactor and the reactions are completed in this fluidized-bed side. A two-phase dynamic model in bubbling regime of fluidization was developed in the presence of long-term catalyst deactivation. This model is used to compare the removal of CO2 in a FBMDMR with a conventional dual-type methanol synthesis reactor (CDMR) and a membrane dual-type methanol synthesis reactor (MDMR). The simulation results show a considerable enhancement in the CO2 conversion due to have a favourable profile of temperature and activity along the fluidized-bed membrane dual-type reactor relative to membrane and conventional dual-type reactor systems.
