Novel approaches to the production of higher alcohols from synthesis gas. Quarterly technical progress report number 13, 1 October--31 December 1993
The mass balances from the September, 1993 methanol synthesis run closed to within {+-}5%, indicating that the analytical techniques and measurement procedures that have been developed to date are accurate and reliable. However, methanol production was severely depressed due to catalyst poisoning, probably by metal carbonyls. Thermodynamic calculations show that the current carbonyl traps are not suitable for methanol synthesis service. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed essentially no carbon on the poisoned catalyst from the September, 1993 methanol synthesis run, as compared with the high carbon levels on the spent catalyst from the April, 1993 methanol synthesis run. Experiments showed that oil foaming can occur at ambient temperatures. New procedures for initial reactor pressurization/depressurization have been developed. Infrared spectroscopy of boiled mineral oils showed the presence of unsaturated carbon chains. The extent of unsaturation is not yet known. A test of a new overhead system on the stirred autoclave reactor showed a marked improvement in oil retention within the reactor.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-90PC90043
- OSTI ID:
- 10182967
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/90043-T13; ON: DE94018853; BR: AA2520000; TRN: AHC29421%%25
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 6 Jul 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Novel approaches to the production of higher alcohols from synthesis gas. Quarterly technical progress report No. 9, October 1, 1992--December 31, 1992
Novel approaches to the production of higher alcohols from synthesis gas. Quarterly technical progress report No. 10, January 1, 1993--March 31, 1993