Methanol synthesis over copper catalyst promoted with metal oxides

Abstract

The present work investigated effect of type and amount of metal oxides which can promote the efficiency of copper catalysts used for methanol synthesis The copper catalysts on Al2O3 support were prepared by co-impregnation method. The reactant gas used in the research contained CO and H2 at a ratio of 33/67. The reaction was carried out between 250-400 ℃ at a total pressure of 20 bar. It was observed that the methanol yield reached a maximum at temperature between 300 and 350 ℃, depending on the metal oxides. The highest yield and selectivity towards methanol were obtained from the catalyst contains 1% Ce 1.31%Cu. Pulse injection of N2O could increased methanol yield in short time, but after injection for about 1 min. the yield decreased.