TITLE: Novel process for methanol synthesis. Progress report, March 1, 1991-May 31, 1991.

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],  1991,  29p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE91016543INW

ABSTRACT:

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction taking place in a non-equilibrium film surrounding the Cu-chromite surface, and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the Cu-chromite. The synergism between the two catalysts enhances the rate of methanol formation. In this quarter we looked at the different alkali methoxides (Na, K, Rb, Cs) in conjunction with Cu-chromite. KOMe was found to be the most active. We also examined the effect of water in the feed in an effort to explain the increased tolerance of the process of small amounts of water in the reaction mixture. Up to 1% water can be easily tolerated by the process. 9 refs., 2 figs.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T4

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786