Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Promotion effects on the synthesis of higher alcohols. Tenth quarterly report, October-December 1984

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6087294

The importance of the direct synthesis of higher (C/sub 2/-C/sub 6/) alcohols from synthesis gas as a promising route for providing clean fuels and petrochemical feedstocks is generally recognized. It is known that the addition of alkali salts to methanol synthesis catalysts shifts the products to higher alcohols. However, little is known about the effect of various alkali species on the catalysts components and the synthesis reaction. A series of research studies is planned which should greatly expand current knowledge in this area. In particular, the effect of various alkalis (Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on CO chemisorption, on the activity and selectivity for higher alcohol synthesis reaction, and on the deactivation characteristics of the catalyst will be determined for supported metals (such as Pd and Rh). Direct measurement of electronic interactions between the alkali promoters and the other catalysts components will be attempted by ESCA. During the 10th quarter of the project, alcohol synthesis over Pd/SiO/sub 2/, K-Pd/SiO/sub 2/, Rh/MgO, and K-Rh/MgO catalysts have been studied to elucidate the role of K on methanol synthesis. This study provides a means to compare the effect of K promotion on C/sub 1/ oxygenates (MeOH) to that on C/sub 2//sub +/ oxygenate species. 24 references, 5 tables.

Research Organization:
Pittsburgh Univ., PA (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-82PC50810
OSTI ID:
6087294
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/50810-T9; ON: DE85006665
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English