Deactivation of Cu/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} methanol synthesis catalyst by sintering

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie990078s· OSTI ID:20000993

Sun, J T; Metcalfe, I S; Sahibzada, M

The loss of Cu/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} activity for methanol synthesis has been studied over 50 h under a range of synthesis gas compositions. Experiments have been carried out at differential and finite conversions in order to compare deactivation under the pure feed to that in the presence of products. Under differential conversion, it was found that the degree of deactivation was related to the CO concentration, being particularly acute under CO/H{sub 2}. Under CO/H{sub 2}, there was a close correlation between activity loss and loss of Cu surface area, suggesting that an important cause of deactivation is sintering, which may be promoted by over-reduction of Cu. At finite conversion with CO/H{sub 2} feed the deactivation was less severe. This lower rate of deactivation is most likely due to exposure of the catalyst to products that can stabilize oxidized Cu species. Interestingly, under CO{sub 2}/H{sub 2}, the deactivation was apparent at finite conversion. The exposure of the catalyst to the products, CO and water, at finite conversion can explain these results.

• Research Organization: Imperial Coll. of Science, London (GB)
• OSTI ID: 20000993
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 38; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
COPPER
DEACTIVATION
HYDROGENATION
METHANATION
METHANOL PLANTS
SINTERING
SYNTHESIS GAS
ZINC OXIDES