Thermodynamic Analysis of Overall Reaction Network in Methanol to Light Olefins Process

Remarkable array of light olefins applications creates a sense of excitement among researchers to explore newly accepted processes like MTO. Thermodynamic analysis which is of greatimportance can be the first step to realize the reaction network. In this research, a complete reaction network was presented for the MTO process. In the reaction network, 6 groups of overallreactions, being methanol to olefins, DME to light olefins, DME reforming, methane formation,water-gas shift, carbon formation and consumption and saturated hydrocarbons formation reactions were considered. Gibbs free energy as a function of temperature ranging from 50 to850°C was calculated for each reaction group with an emphasis on the expected industrial temperature range 300-500°C. Thermodynamic studies showed that light olefins production from DME is more likely than direct conversion of methanol. Obtained results were compared to theexperimental cases investigated the effect of temperature on product distribution. It has been observed an inconsistency with the experimental data for methane formation reactions in MTO process. Thus, methane formation reactions seem to be kinetically controlled.

Keywords:

Thermodynamic Analysis , Methanol to Light Olefins