📋 Case Study

CO₂ Hydrogenation to Methanol in a Slurry Reactor (Carbon Recycling International, Iceland)

Low CO₂ solubility and slow surface reaction kinetics limiting productivity

🏗️ Project Overview

Integration of geothermal H₂ and captured CO₂ into 4,000 ton/yr methanol plant

🎯 Challenge

Low CO₂ solubility and slow surface reaction kinetics limiting productivity

🔧 Design Approach

High-shear slurry reactor with Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst, CO₂ pre-saturation, and staged H₂ injection with gas–liquid mass transfer optimization

📐 Design Diagram

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Hatta Number (Ha)

Ha = √(k₂ × D_AB) / k_L

Result: 12.7

Confirms fast reaction regime requiring enhanced interfacial area

Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient (k_La)

k_La = 2.6 × (P/V)^0.4 × (ε_g)^0.5

Result: 0.021 s⁻¹

Benchmark for impeller redesign

📊 Results

Space-time yield improved 3.8× vs. conventional fixed bed; carbon utilization efficiency >78%

💡 Lessons Learned

• •Slurry reactors excel for gas–liquid–solid systems with equilibrium limitations
• •Renewable H₂ purity directly impacts catalyst lifetime

✅ Key Takeaways

• 1Slurry reactors excel for gas–liquid–solid systems with equilibrium limitations
• 2Renewable H₂ purity directly impacts catalyst lifetime