A single-stage synthesis of dimethyl ether in liquid phase
- Univ. of Akron, OH (United States)
- 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-; TRN: IM9524%%400
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 11. annual international Pittsburgh coal conference: coal, energy and the environment, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 12-16 Sep 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Eleventh annual international Pittsburgh coal conference proceedings: Volume 2; Chiang, S.H. [ed.]; PB: 860 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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