| abstract |
Methanol is prepared in a process characterised in that a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide is reacted in the presence of a catalyst in a plurality of sequentially arranged stages, the gaseous mixture contacting the catalyst in each stage in a fluidized bed regime whilst being cooled, in which process methanol is removed from the reaction mixture between successive stages. The interstage removal of methanol is preferably carried out by cooling the effluent stream from the preceding reactor and allowing condensation of the methanol to occur. Cooling of the effluent stream is preferably effected by heat exchange with cold feed gas, more preferably using a heat exchanger having a specific heat transfer area of at least 150 m²/m³, preferably of at least 200 m²/m³. |