TITLE: Novel process for manufacture of methanol. Progress report, March 1--May 31, 1990.

AUTHOR: J. W. Tierney;   I. Wender.

INST.  AUTHOR: Pittsburgh Univ., PA. Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  1990,  12p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92015797INW

ABSTRACT:

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol by a novel process. During the last quarter, the effect of operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, feed H(sub 2)/CO ratio and feed flow rate on the MeOH synthesis rate were investigated. The specific rate of MeOH synthesis was found to vary with gas feed rate -- an unexpected result. It is proposed that this is due to the presence of small amounts of an inhibiting agent which accumulates in the liquid at low flow rates. Work also continued on the modification of the experimental equipment to permit on-line monitoring of liquid and gas compositions.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T11

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786