Low H[sub 2]/CO ratio synthesis gas conversion to methanol in a trickle bed reactor

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00023a024· OSTI ID:5537284

Tjandra, S; Anthony, R G; Akgerman, A ^[1]

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1. Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Chemical Engineering Dept.

The performance of a trickle bed reactor for methanol synthesis over a Cu/ZnO/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] catalyst was investigated. The pressure was kept constant at 5.2 MPa, and the CO/CO[sub 2] ratio was maintained at 9.0 throughout the investigation. The effects of time on stream, space velocity, H[sub 2]/(CO + CO[sub 2]) ratio, and liquid-phase flow rate on methanol productivity were studied at 508, 523, and 533 K. The H[sub 2]/(CO + CO[sub 2]) ratios were set at 0.5, 1.0, and 2. The space velocity was in the range 3,000--20,000 L/(h kg of catalyst) at 523 K and 3,000--8,000 L/(h kg of catalyst) at 508 and 533 K. The feed gas along with an inert oil was passed over a fixed bed of catalyst particles of size 500--600 [mu]m. The product was mainly methanol with small amounts of water. The catalyst deactivated during the first 100 h on stream and reached a steady-state activity which was maintained for over 1,000 h at stream. Methanol and water productivities increased with space velocity and with H[sub 2]/(CO + CO[sub 2]) ratio, as well as with temperature. Productivities as high as 39.5 mol of methanol/(h kg of catalyst) were achieved. The results are compared to slurry reactor data at the same and similar conditions.

• DOE Contract Number: FG22-89PC89787
• OSTI ID: 5537284
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States), Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States) Vol. 32:11; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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