TITLE: Novel process for manufacture of methanol. Progress report.

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],  10 Jan 90,  8p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92007926INW

ABSTRACT:

To determine the effect of alternate catalysts on the synthesis. This will include copper chromite catalysts impregnated with alkali metals such as potassium, rubidium and cesium as well as their use as homogenous catalysts in the form of methoxides or similar salts. The use of various copper chromite catalysts with different compositions will be studied: e.g. substituting barium for manganses in copper chromite catalyst has a beneficial effect. To determine the nature of the active catalysts in this reaction and the effect of deactivating agents such as CO(sub 2), H(sub 2)O and CO. To determine the rate limiting steps in this reaction so that proper scale-up is possible. The effects of catalysts loading and reactor volume are of special importance. To develop mathematical models which can be used for prediction of rates of reaction and are suitable for scale-up of the reaction.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T7

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786