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The effects of carbon dioxide, methanol, and alkali promoter concentration on the higher alcohol synthesis over a Cu/ZnO/Cr sub 2 O sub 3 catalyst

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis; (United States)
 [1];  [2]
  1. McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)
  2. Alberta Research Council, Devon (Canada)

The behavior of the methanol and higher alcohol (HAS) syntheses as a function of catalyst promoter concentration, CO{sub 2} feed gas concentration, and methanol feed gas concentration has been investigated over a Cu/ZnO/Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst at 10 MPa and 285-315 C. In the presence of CO{sub 2} in the feed gas, the methanol and HAS yields are greater for the unpromoted catalyst than the 0.5% K{sub 2}CO{sub 3}-promoted catalyst. The methanol and HAS yields also reach a maximum as the CO{sub 2} concentration increases for both catalysts. In the absence of CO{sub 2}, both the methanol and HAS yields reach a maximum as the K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} promoter concentration increases. The complex behavior results from the ability of these catalysts to incorporate CO, CO{sub 2}, and methanol into higher alcohols, on at least two different types of catalytic sites. It is suggested that CO{sub 2} participates directly in HAS on copper sites while alkali/copper interfacial sites are involved in converting CO. Higher alcohol production is therefore very sensitive to the feed gas composition and the components and composition of the catalyst.

OSTI ID:
5804670
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis; (United States) Vol. 130:2; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English