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Title: Catalyst activity maintenance study for the liquid phase dimethyl ether process

Conference ·
OSTI ID:200391
; ;  [1]
  1. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA (United States)

The co-production of dimethyl ether (DME) and methanol from syngas is a process of considerable commercial attractiveness. DME coproduction can double the productivity of a LPMEOH process when using coal-derived syngas. This in itself may offer chemical producers and power companies increased flexibility and more profitable operation. DME is also known as a clean burning liquid fuel; Amoco and Haldor-Topsoe have recently announced the use of DME as an alternative diesel fuel. Moreover, DME can be an interesting intermediate in the production of chemicals such as olefins and vinyl acetate. The current APCl liquid phase dimethyl ether (LPDME) process utilizes a physical mixture of a commercial methanol synthesis catalyst and a dehydration catalyst (e.g., {gamma}-alumina). While this arrangement provides a synergy that results in much higher syngas conversion per pass compared to the methanol-only process, the stability of the catalyst system suffers. The present project is aimed at reducing catalyst deactivation both by understanding the cause(s) of catalyst deactivation and by developing modified catalyst systems. This paper describes the current understanding of the deactivation mechanism.

Research Organization:
USDOE Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC), PA (United States)
OSTI ID:
200391
Report Number(s):
CONF-9508133-; ON: DE96001664; TRN: 95:008316-0026
Resource Relation:
Conference: Coal liquefaction and gas conversion contractor review meeting, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 29-31 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of Coal liquefaction and gas conversion contractors review conference: Proceedings; PB: 733 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English