A novel process for methanol synthesis
A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series: the carbonylation of methanol to methyl formate taking place in a non-equilibrium region in the vicinity of the copper chromite surface, and the hydrogenolysis of methyl formate to methanol taking place on the surface of the copper chromite. The synergism between the two catalysts enhances the rate of methanol formation. In this quarter, we tested several copper chromites (with different surface areas and stabilizing agents) on the rate of methanol synthesis. It seems likely that pore diffusion limitations control the hydrogenolysis reaction since the rate of methanol formation is proportional to the square root of the copper chromite surface area. Elemental analyses using Inductively Coupled Plasma analysis and pore size distribution analysis of copper chromite were carried out.
- Research Organization:
- Pittsburgh Univ., PA (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG22-89PC89786
- OSTI ID:
- 5804844
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/89786-T8; ON: DE92010465
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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A novel process for methanol synthesis. [Concurrent sythesis of methly formate and methanol]
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ALCOHOLS
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CARBONYLATION
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
CONVERSION
COPPER COMPOUNDS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUIDS
FORMATES
GASES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROGRESS REPORT
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS GAS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS