Methanol and methyl fuel catalysts. Final technical report, September 1980-August 1983
Copper-based catalysts for alcohol synthesis were prepared, tested for catalytic activity and selectivity, and characterized. These catalysts include Cu/ZnO, Cu/Co/ZnO, Cu/Co/Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Cu/Co/Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3//K/sub 2/O, and Cu/ZnO/KOH. The chromia-containing catalysts exhibited a low activity and selectivity, while the Cu/ZnO catalyst was verified to be a very active and selective methanol synthesis catalyst. Cobalt imparted a methanation function to the catalysts, while potassium suppressed the activity and the selectivity. Over the quaternary catalyst, higher pressure and lower GHSV enhanced the selectivity to higher alcohols. Low concentrations of carbon dioxide in H/sub 2//CO synthesis gas over Cu/ZnO catalysts promote methanol synthesis, while at high concentrations it behaves as a retardant of the synthesis. The water gas shift reaction readily proceeds over the Cu/ZnO catalyst. Analogous to the CO/sub 2/ effect, the presence of water in the synthesis gas has a profound effect on the synthesis of methanol. The Cu/ZnO catalyst is a good hydrogenation catalyst. Olefins, aldehydes, and acids are hydrogenated at a faster rate than CO is hydrogenated to methanol, but aromatics are hydrogenated at slower rates. Chemical trapping of the intermediates on these surface sites with amines demonstrates that a kinetically significant intermediate in methanol synthesis is a surface formyl or hydroxycarbene species. These species can be formed from synthesis gas or by alcohols in the reactant stream, and they readily alkylate amines in the reactant gas stream. Over an Fe/Cu/ZnO catalyst, amines inhibit the production of alcohols by trapping the precursor intermediates, while changing the hydrocarbon selectivity from paraffins to predominantly olefins. 68 references, 9 figures, 25 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (USA). Center for Surface and Coatings Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG22-80PC30265
- OSTI ID:
- 5163569
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/30265-T1; ON: DE84004643
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Oxygenates vs. synthesis gas
Promotion effects on the synthesis of higher alcohols. Second quarterly report, December 1982-February 1983
Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
SPECIFICITY
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
HYDROGENATION
METHANATION
METHANOL
SYNTHESIS
REACTION INTERMEDIATES
TRAPPING
AMINES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM OXIDES
COAL GASIFICATION
COBALT OXIDES
COPPER
COPPER OXIDES
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
POTASSIUM OXIDES
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SHIFT PROCESSES
SYNTHESIS GAS
WATER
ZINC OXIDES
ALCOHOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
COBALT COMPOUNDS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
090221* - Alcohol Fuels- Chemical Synthesis- (1976-1989)
010404 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Gasification