Hydrogenolysis of methyl formate by H{sub 2}/CO mixtures with CuO/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} based methanol synthesis catalysts

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00046a018· OSTI ID:178396

Braca, G; Raspolli Galletti, A M; Laniyonu, N J; Sbrana, G ^[1]; Micheli, E; Girolamo, M di; Marchionna, M ^[2]

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1. Univ. di Pisa (Italy). Dipt. di Chimica e Chimica Industriale
2. SNAMPROGETTI S.p.A., San Donato Milanese (Italy). Research Div.

Ternary copper-based catalysts of type CuO/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, CuO/ZnO/Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and CuO/ZnO/La{sub 2}O{sub 3} have been advantageously used in the hydrogenolysis of methyl and ethyl formate to methanol. The catalysts are active under mild conditions (150--185 C; 5--10 MPa) both in gas-solid and in gas-liquid-solid phases with high selectivities to methanol (80--90%). The decarbonylation of the formic ester is the only side reaction, but the catalysts, different from other copper-based systems, do not suffer from the presence of Co in the reaction gases. Accordingly the hydrogenolysis may be carried out with a hydrogen feed containing CO without any poisoning of the catalyst or decrease of the selectivity to methanol. A preliminary screening of different copper catalysts points out that the insensitivity to CO might be related to the presence of basic sites on the catalysts.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 178396
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 34; ISSN 0888-5885; ISSN IECRED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
COPPER OXIDES
FORMATES
HYDROGENATION
METHANATION
METHANOL
PH VALUE
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SYNTHESIS
ZINC OXIDES