Powdered coal ( essentially pure C ) is reacted with excess water to make a mixture of CO,CO2 and H2 The reaction is desired reaction ,CO2 is an undesired waste product. This gas mixture from the reactions of coal with water is further reacted over a catalyst to make methanol (CH3OH)
The Coal is fed with 200% excess water ( excess is calculated with respect to CO formation) 100% of coal is consumed. the selectivity to CO (with respect to CO2) is 1:1 the functional conversion of the CO is 50% what is the final gas composition ? ( all final species are in the gas phase
C+H2O = CO +H2
C+2H2O = CO2 +2H2
CO+2H2O=CH3OH+1/2 O2