TITLE: Novel process for methanol synthesis. Progress report, March 1, 1992--May 31, 1992.

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],  1992,  12p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92019719INW

ABSTRACT:

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol (MeOH) by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two-step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction taking place mainly in a non-equilibrium region in the vicinity of the copper chromite surface, and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the copper chromite. Interaction between the two catalysts enhances the rate of methanol formation. In this quarter, we investigated the effect of pore diffusion on reaction rate and obtained an expression for the rate of reaction for the methanol/methyl formate concurrent synthesis.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T13

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786