102.    ---------------. [AUDIBERT, E] [Methanol.  Its Synthesis.]  Tech. moderne, vol. 20, 1928, pp. 861-866; Chem. Abs., vol. 23, 1929, p. 1385.

                  The catalysts in use are CuO and ZuO.  CuO is the more active but is easily affected by the formation on its surface of substances of higher molecular weight.  To prevent this, H₂ is increased to CO+5H₂.  A long exposure to high temperature decreases the activity of catalysts.  The activity is also affected favorably or adversely by the presence of other metallic oxides.  Yields are roughly proportional to the square of the pressure.  ZnO requires higher pressures than CuO.  Maximum yields are obtained when the mixture of gases is equal to CO+2H₂.  Since MeOH is an intermediate product, greater yields of MeOH, to the exclusion of other products, are obtained when the speed of the gases through the catalyst chamber is increased.  Secondary reactions are increased with higher temperature.  CuO permits the use of lower temperature.  Both oxides are subject to poisoning.