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

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6632369
Patent Number(s):
5384335
Application Number:
PPN: US 8-040644
Assignee:
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
FG22-89PC89786
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 31 Mar 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS; 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS; CATALYTIC EFFECTS; ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS; CARBON MONOXIDE; METHANATION; CHROMIUM OXIDES; COPPER OXIDES; METHANOL; SYNTHESIS; HYDROGEN; ALCOHOLS; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBON OXIDES; CHALCOGENIDES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS; COPPER COMPOUNDS; ELEMENTS; HYDROXY COMPOUNDS; NONMETALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS; 100200* - Synthetic Fuels- Production- (1990-); 010408 - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- C1 Processes- (1987-)

Citation Formats

Tierney, J W, Wender, I, and Palekar, V M. Methanol synthesis using a catalyst combination of alkali or alkaline earth salts and reduced copper chromite. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Tierney, J W, Wender, I, & Palekar, V M. Methanol synthesis using a catalyst combination of alkali or alkaline earth salts and reduced copper chromite. United States.
Tierney, J W, Wender, I, and Palekar, V M. Tue . "Methanol synthesis using a catalyst combination of alkali or alkaline earth salts and reduced copper chromite". United States.
@article{osti_6632369,
title = {Methanol synthesis using a catalyst combination of alkali or alkaline earth salts and reduced copper chromite},
author = {Tierney, J W and Wender, I and Palekar, V M},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1995},
month = {1}
}

Patent:
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