A single-stage synthesis of dimethyl ether in liquid phase

Book · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 UTC 1994

OSTI ID:51930

Tartamella, T L; Lee, S ^[1]; Kulik, C J ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Akron, OH (United States)
2. Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)

A novel, single-stage process for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) has been developed using CO rich syngas in the liquid phase (LPDME). This process utilizes a three-phase, mechanically agitated slurry reactor and makes use of a dual catalyst system consisting of Cu/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} as the methanol synthesis catalyst and {gamma}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} for the subsequent conversion to DME. The catalyst is slurried in an inert mineral oil which facilitates effective heat removal. The process involves the synthesis of methanol as an inter-mediate in the production of DME. In doing so, there is a reduction of the chemical equilibrium limitations previously encountered in methanol synthesis alone. As a result, enhanced catalyst activity, per-pass conversion and reactor productivity over methanol synthesis is observed. The process excels over its liquid phase methanol counterpart (LPMeOH{trademark}) in many areas. Specifically, a increase in reactor productivity as high as 95% is attained in the production of DME over LPMeOH{trademark}. Also, a 60% increase in syngas conversion is attained over the production of methanol alone. Experimental studies compare reactor productivities for methanol vs. DME synthesis for several slurry ratios. Also, the effect of temperature and pressure on synthesis rates for methanol and DME are also examined.

• OSTI ID: 51930
• Report Number(s): CONF-940930--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COPPER
ETHERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LIQUID PHASE METHANOL PROCESS
METHANATION
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
ZINC OXIDES