Carbon Dioxide → Methyl formate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Synthesis gas having an inlet composition of 66.6% H2, 33.3% CO and 0.1% CO2 was fed to a 300 cc. stainless steel autoclave charged with 3 gms. of activated 10% potassium promoted copper-chromite (containing 31.1% copper and 29% chromium) and 150 cc. methanol. The catalyst was added as a powder. It was then reduced in situ using a stream of pure H2 flowing at 25 cc/min. for 16 hours at 170° C. The reactor was pressurized to 910 psig. and the temperature was adjusted to 150° C. Synthesis gas at a flow rate of 45 cc/min. (measured under standard conditions) was made to react under isothermal conditions. After an initial transient period, the process reached a steady state with respect to the amount of synthesis gas converted. A methanol production rate based on H2 consumption of 11.5 gmoles/h/kg. cat. was obtained with 91.5% synthesis gas conversion and 95% selectivity towards methanol. An exit gas composition of 58.15% H2, 35% CO, 1.35% CO2, 3.0% methanol, 2.3% methyl formate, 0.16% H2O and 0.01% dimethyl ether was obtained. A liquid composition of 95.6% methanol, 4% methyl formate, 0.3% water and traces of dimethyl ether and dissolved gases was obtained.

Provenance & Evidence