Methanol synthesis

The lowest possible footprint

Topsoe's methanol synthesis process is the simplest, and the most effective, solution available on the market. Designed to synthesize methanol at the lowest possible cost and with the lowest possible impact on the environment, the process relies on our ultra-efficient tubular boiling water reactor (BWR) design.

Integrated processes

With our BWR design, the methanol synthesis catalyst is loaded into tubes that are cooled from the shell side by boiling water. The water efficiently removes the heat in an almost isothermal path and at conditions close to the maximum rate of reaction. This design ensures high conversion per reactor pass, higher catalyst space velocity and a lower recycle ratio. And it comes in a small-footprint package that is designed for scalability.

The MK-151 FENCE™ methanol synthesis catalyst delivers industry leading performance and stability. The resulting production gains over the catalyst’s lifetime will enable you to far exceed your initial target.

MK-151 FENCE™ is also designed to be very selective. Combined with the excellent temperature control achieved by our BWR, this enables you to minimize the formation of undesirable by-products. Reducing the byproduct formation not only improves your feedstock utilization. It also reduces energy consumption in your downstream distillation section.

Benefits include:

Very cost-effective
High energy-efficiency
High plant availability
Small footprint
Scalability
Ease of operation

An additional benefit of choosing Topsoe’s methanol synthesis process is that you can always rely on our unmatched experience and leadership in plant designs, technology, catalysis and technical service.

Our designs take real-world challenges into account, and we continue to support you with technical services to ensure reliably high availability and efficiency throughout the lifecycle of your plant.

Catalysts for methanol synthesis

MK 121 catalyst

The MK-121 methanol synthesis catalyst is developed to match the requirements of methanol producers today in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

MK-151 catalyst

This methanol synthesis catalyst delivers documented industry-leading performance and stability, resulting in production gains over the catalyst’s lifetime that will enable you to far exceed ...

MK-417 SUSTAIN™ catalyst

MK-417 SUSTAIN™ offers excellent stability even under these severe operating conditions. This is due to an optimized copper dispersion along with an optimized zinc coverage of the copper ...

MG-921 catalyst

MG-921 is a guard catalyst used for protecting methanol synthesis catalyst from poisons such as iron, sulfur and chlorine.

MK-181 PRIME™ catalyst

This innovative catalyst empowers you to achieve record-breaking performance of your methanol plant, regardless of whether you want to lower your specific energy consumption or increase plant ...

RC-87 HEAT-X™ catalyst

The RC-87 HEAT-X™ is a nickel-based non-alkali pre-reduced catalyst for heat exchange steam reforming. It features unmatched mechanical stability across the temperature range.

Boiling water reactor

Efficient cooling in exothermic reactions. This boiling water reactor (BWR) is typically used for methanol synthesis.

Collect-Mix-Distribute System

Advanced gas mixing for higher conversion in quench reactors.

Adiabatic reactor bottom support grid

Maximize profitability and obtain a lower pressure drop in your adiabatic reactors such as the high, medium, low-temperature shift or the methanator.

ModuLite™

Pairing our technology with the ModuLite modular design provides a solution for decarbonized or ultra-low-carbon production at scalable volume.

Two-step methanol

This tubular reforming technology is the most commonly used methanol technology, providing the lowest CAPEX and OPEX.

One-step methanol

Low cost technology for small to medium capacity. This technology uses only steam reforming as synthesis gas generator.

SynCOR Methanol™

Proven large scale for new built. This is the most cost efficient industrially proven methanol technology available on the market.

Highlights

Leaflet

A proven formular for higher profits

Maximize methanol production with our MK-151+ FENCE™ catalyst. Achieve industry-leading performance, stability, and efficiency with the innovative FENCE™ technology, ensuring higher yields, longer lifetimes, and lower pressure drops. Unlock long-term profitability today!

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Customer case

Unlock your plant's true potential with smarter catalyst assessment

Discover how a methanol producer transformed their process by challenging conventional catalyst evaluation. With Topsoe’s MK-151 FENCE™ catalyst, they achieved higher production, lower energy consumption, and longer catalyst life.

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Catalyzing methanol synthesis

Explore how methanol-synthesis catalysts are driving the transition to green methanol. Learn about cutting-edge innovations, including CO₂-rich feed adaptability, high activity, and unmatched stability, paving the way for decarbonized methanol production.

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Applications within this area

Purification

A well-functioning purification of the feedstock to the methanol plant will have a great impact on the performance of the downstream processes and their purification catalysts.

Reforming

Our different reforming technologies are tailor-made to meet the requirements of the customer without compromising on reliability.

Synthesis

Making best use of the synthesis gas and turn it into valuable high-quality methanol through methanol synthesis at the minimum cost, energy expenditures and environmental impact is our focus.

Co-production

Topsoe's integrated methanol and ammonia process IMAP™ gives you the flexibility you need to get ahead and stay there.

Contact us

Do you have a question about our products or solutions? Or do you want to know how our technologies can support your business? Contact our experts today.