TITLE: Novel process for methanol synthesis. Progress report, June 1, 1990-August 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,  33p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE91009808INW

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 authors investigated the effect of various catalysts on the rate of MeOH synthesis. The success of salts such as alkali formates and carbonates as catalysts indicates the regeneration of the homogeneous catalyst in the presence of Cu-chromite. This could also explain the increased tolerance of the process to the presence of small amounts of H(sub 2)O. Mathematical equations were written to explain the non-linearity of the rate (in gmoles/min) with catalyst concentration and the effect of feed flow rate. An on-line gas sampling valve was installed.  Efforts are continuing to install an on-line liquid sampling valve. A major difficulty is due to the fact that liquid flow is not continuous. 6 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T1

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786;   FG22-84PC71257