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U.S. Department of Energy
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Promotion effects on the synthesis of higher alcohols. 11th quarterly report, January-March 1985

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5688728

In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of CO hydrogenation, we have studied Ni/SiO/sub 2/ (a methanation catalyst), Ru/SiO/sub 2/ (a higher hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst), Rh/SiO/sub 2/ (a synthesis catalyst with high selectivity for C/sub 2/ oxygenates), and Pd/SiO/sub 2/ (a methanol synthesis catalyst) by the addition of probe molecules to CO/H/sub 2/ under synthesis conditions. Ethylene, ethanol, and acetaldehyde were utilized as probe molecules in this study. The addition of ethylene can produce hydrocarbon intermediates, and the addition of ethanol and acetaldehyde may lead to oxygen-containing intermediates. These intermediates may be similar to those produced by Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. The addition of such probe molecules, however, could have a great effect on the overall product distribution. The possible reactions due to the addition of these probe molecules are summarized in Table I-III. By determining the ability of a catalyst to catalyze these specific reaction steps, the reaction paths for the formation of hydrocarbons and oxygenates on these metal catalysts may be clarified. 49 refs., 1 fig., 9 tabs.

Research Organization:
Pittsburgh Univ., PA (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-82PC50810
OSTI ID:
5688728
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/50810-T10; ON: DE85011001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English