Development of a catalyst for conversion of syngas-derived materials to isobutylene. Quarterly report number 11, October 1--December 31, 1993

Technical Report · Fri Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10107327

Barger, P T

The goals of this project are to develop a catalyst and process for the conversion of syngas to isobutanol. The research will identify and optimize key catalyst and process characteristics. In addition, the commercial potential of the new process will be evaluated by an economic analysis. This report covers three phases of catalyst screening to identify a new catalyst for the production of isoalcohols from syngas or syngas-derived feeds. These phases involve a shift in the project strategy from the direct conversion of CO/H{sub 2} to isoalcohols to a focus on catalysts for the conversion of methanol and, eventually, methanol/ethanol mixtures to higher branched alcohols. The testing of methanol synthesis based catalysts for the conversion of syngas to higher alcohols has been completed this quarter. The three additional catalysts that have been tested (cs modified Cu/Zn/Al oxide, Zn/Cr oxide and Pd/K on Zr/Zn/Mn oxide) have not afforded better selectivity or productivity to isoalcohols than previously tested materials. Considering the low activity that is generally observed for higher alcohols synthesis from syngas suggests that a two stage process combining conventional methanol synthesis with a new process to convert methanol to higher alcohols may be a superior approach to direct synthesis. Therefore, the focus of the research effort at UOP has shifted to the identification of catalysts for the conversion of methanol to higher branched alcohols, particularly isobutanol. A series of mixed metal oxide catalysts based on either conventional methanol synthesis catalysts, the Zr/Zn/Mn oxide catalysts or Mg/Al metal oxide solid solutions (MOSSs) have been evaluated for the conversion of methanol to higher alcohols.

• Research Organization: UOP, Inc., Des Plaines, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-91PC90042
• OSTI ID: 10107327
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90042--T10; ON: DE95005185; BR: AA2520000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010408
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
100200
2-METHYLPROPANOL
2-METHYLPROPENE
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
C1 PROCESSES
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CESIUM
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHROMIUM OXIDES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONVERSION
COPPER
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE OXIDES
METHANATION
METHANOL
PALLADIUM
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POTASSIUM
PRODUCTION
PROGRESS REPORT
SYNTHESIS
ZINC
ZIRCONIUM