Methanol synthesis using a catalyst combination of alkali or alkaline earth salts and reduced copper chromite

Patent · Tue Jan 24 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:6632369

Tierney, J W; Wender, I; Palekar, V M

The present invention relates to a novel route for the synthesis of methanol, and more specifically to the production of methanol by contacting synthesis gas under relatively mild conditions in a slurry phase with a catalyst combination comprising reduced copper chromite and basic alkali salts or alkaline earth salts. The present invention allows the synthesis of methanol to occur in the temperature range of approximately 100--160 C and the pressure range of 40--65 atm. The process produces methanol with up to 90% syngas conversion per pass and up to 95% methanol selectivity. The only major by-product is a small amount of easily separated methyl formate. Very small amounts of water, carbon dioxide and dimethyl ether are also produced. The present catalyst combination also is capable of tolerating fluctuations in the H[sub 2]/CO ratio without major deleterious effect on the reaction rate. Furthermore, carbon dioxide and water are also tolerated without substantial catalyst deactivation.

• DOE Contract Number: FG22-89PC89786
• Assignee: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5384335; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 8-040644
• OSTI ID: 6632369
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010408 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- C1 Processes-- (1987-)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
100200* -- Synthetic Fuels-- Production-- (1990-)
ALCOHOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHROMIUM OXIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANATION
METHANOL
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS