TITLE: Novel process for methanol synthesis. Progress report, September 1, 1992--November 30, 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],  12 Feb 93,  14p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE93013070INW

ABSTRACT:

A bench-scale reactor is being used to conduct studies of the conversion of synthesis gas to methanol (MeOH) in the liquid phase by a novel process. In previous reports, we provided evidence for a two step reaction in series, the carbonylation reaction mainly takng place close and the hydrogenolysis reaction taking place on the surface of the copper chromate. The interaction between the two catalyst enhances the rate of MeOH formation. In the last quarter, we showed that under present operating conditions, the methyl formate (MeOH) concentration is not in equilibrium and hence both the carboxylation and the hydrogenolysis reactions influence the rate of MEOH formation. The activities of other alkali and alkaline earth compounds as catalysts, the effect of water and the controlling reaction in the concurrent synthesis is described in this report.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/89786-T15

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-89PC89786