Optimum catalytic process for alcohol fuels from syngas: First quarterly technical progress report, January-March 1987

Technical Report · Thu Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6803830

Research has been conducted on both methanol homologation and direct syngas conversion by homogeneous catalysts. Studies on the novel methanol homologation system which produces ethanol under relatively low pressures have addressed catalyst lifetime, catalyst characterization, mechanism, new additives, and process improvement. The catalyst lifetime studies show that within the timescale of our experiments (10 h), no catalyst decomposition is detected. Because these experiments are conducted in batch-type reactors, we have not been able to carry out longer lifetime studies. Nevertheless, initial concerns over the catalyst stability have been alleviated. The catalyst characterization and mechanistic studies have been very informative about the chemistry involved in this novel system. This, in turn, should allow us to rationally develop methods which will improve catalyst performance. We have also prepared some A25-type additives which, although structurally very similar to A25, differ electronically. None of these additives have improved the selectivity or activity observed with A25. However, these results show that subtle changes in the electronic properties of the additive can make a large difference in selectivity and activity. This suggests that variation of the additive electronic properties should allow us to optimize catalyst performance. Finally, we have shown that the addition of water has no effect on the catalyst selectivity or activity. This shows that we may be able to shift the ethers and esters formed during the homologation reaction back to the alcohols (and acetic acid). If successful this would simplify product separation and/or recycle.

• Research Organization: Union Carbide Corp., South Charleston, WV (USA). Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology Services Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-86PC90013
• OSTI ID: 6803830
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90013-T1; ON: DE87010084
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ALCOHOLS
SYNTHESIS
CATALYSTS
ADDITIVES
ALCOHOL FUELS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COAL GASIFICATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
METHANOL
PROMOTERS
RUTHENIUM
SERVICE LIFE
SPECIFICITY
SYNTHESIS GAS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
090221* - Alcohol Fuels- Chemical Synthesis- (1976-1989)
010408 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- C1 Processes- (1987-)