Method for producing methanol by use of nuclear heat and power

Abstract

A process for producing methanol reduces the emission of carbon dioxide which is responsible for global warming. The process involves the steps of generating steam by the use of nuclear heat of a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor, decomposing the steam into hydrogen with a steam electrolyzer, and synthesizing methanol from this hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained from a carbon dioxide source. The process also involves the steps of converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen into carbon monoxide and steam by carrying out a reverse shift reactor, forming hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide into methanol in a methanol synthesis column. The process permits the use of an existing methanol production facility. The process may be modified such that the gas composed of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen is mixed with hydrogen gas generated by the steam electrolyzer, and the resulting gas is converted into methanol. Also, a power generating plant is provided in which oxygen-enriched air, generated by the steam electrolyzer using nuclear heat of the high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor, is used as combustion air.