A set-up of bubble column slurry reactor of 0.2m diameter and auxiliary equipment for three-phase methanol synthesis was established. For checking the operatability and stability of the unit and appraising the catalyst activity

a hot-flow test was conducted under the condition of 1000h continuous run at temperature range 498K to 525K

pressure range 2.5MPa to 3.1MPa

mass space velocity range 4500L·kg -1 ·h -1 to 7500 L·kg -1 ·h -1

and CO mole fraction of 0.31 in feed gas. According to the characteristics of this reaction system

a mathematical model which includes axial dispersion of liquid

axial distribution of catalyst particle and intrinsic kinetics of gas-phase methanol synthesis was obtained. The agreement between the calculated values of methanol yield and outlet methanol mole fraction from this model and the test values was good. Besides

the data obtained by the verified model under the pressure of 5.0MPa was close to those from US Laporte pilot-plant. It was considered that Chinese C302 type catalyst and liquid paraffin can be used for three-phase methanol synthesis

and that the hot-flow model test was successful.