The catalytic decomposition of methanol into syngas for use as an automotive fuel

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6887972

Wickham, D T; Logsdon, B W; Cowley, S W

Although methanol is thought to be an excellent automotive fuel, it has a smaller volumetric fuel value than gasoline. The catalytic decomposition of methanol into syngas, prior to its combustion in the engine, improves its fuel value by approximately 14%. Palladium and platinum on modified alumina supports demonstrate the necessary qualities for this process. The catalytic activity and thermal stability of palladium is strongly affected by the nature of the catalyst support used. A gamma-alumina support was modified with the oxides of Li, Mg, Cs, and La. The effect of the modified support on the activity, selectivity, and thermal stability of the palladium metal was studied during exposure to a thermal cycle of 300, 500, and 300/sup 0/C. The profound difference in catalyst behavior may be due to strong metal-support interactions, to variations in metal dispersion, or to chemical alteration of the palladium. In order to determine the chemical state of the palladium metal and the modified support before and after testing, the catalysts were characterized by TPD, XRD, XPS, and volumetric chemisorption techniques.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401
• OSTI ID: 6887972
• Report Number(s): CONF-8609181-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States) Journal Volume: 31:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

090221* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100 -- Internal Combustion Engines
330800 -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
ALCOHOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
CATALYST SUPPORTS
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CESIUM COMPOUNDS
CESIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION CONTROL
CONTROL
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
FLUIDS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GASES
GASOLINE
HEAT ENGINES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LANTHANUM COMPOUNDS
LANTHANUM OXIDES
LIQUID FUELS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM OXIDES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
METALS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALLADIUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLATINUM
PLATINUM METALS
PYROLYSIS
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS