Production of Hydrogen for the synthesis of methanol (basis of plastic, glues and fuels)

The Methanol CH3OH results from the synthesis of dihydrogène H2 and Carbon monoxide CO.

The dihydrogen H2 and the Carbon monoxide CO are produced by steam reforming of natural gas CH4 (methane) according to the following reactions:

CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2
CO + H2O → CO2 + H2

The Methanol CH3OH is produced according to the following reaction:

CO + 2 H2 → CH3OH

Carbon dioxide CO2 is recycled to compensate the excess of dinitrogen H2:

CO2 + 3 H2 → CH3OH + H2O

Production of Methanol from natural gas is the cheapest and the most commonly used. But in countries with poor natural gas stocks, Ammonia can be produced from light derivatives of oil or coal.

Methanol is a raw material used in the production of plastic materials, synthetic resins, paints, explosives, fabrics... Methanol is added to gasoline to save crude oil.