Chemistry: fischer-tropsch processes; or purification or recover – Liquid phase fischer-tropsch reaction
Patent
1993-09-09
1995-02-14
Mars, Howard T.
Chemistry: fischer-tropsch processes; or purification or recover
Liquid phase fischer-tropsch reaction
518713, C07C 4101
Patent
active
053896890
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a method of producing dimethyl ether from a mixed gas containing carbon monoxide and either or both of hydrogen and water vapor, or a mixed gas of them further containing carbon dioxide.
BACKGROUND ART
Heretofore, some methods have been known for the production of dimethyl ether from a mixed gas composed of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
For example, Japanese Patent KOKOKU 54-32764 discloses a method of producing dimethyl ether by loading a mixture of a methanol synthesis catalyst made of copper carried on alumina and a methanol dehydration catalyst made of zinc and chrominum carried on alumina into a reactor or loading them into layers alternately into a reactor and supplying a mixed gas composed of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen thereto. Besides, Japanese Patent KOKOKU 61-43332 discloses a method of producing dimethyl ether using a catalyst composed of a mixture of oxides of copper, zinc, chrominum and aluminum treated with a silicon compound such as tetraethyl orthosilicate so as to resist heat, high temperature stream and mechanical stress and then molded. Moreover, Japanese Patent KOKAI 3-181435 discloses a method of producing dimethyl ether characteristic in the use of a catalyst in a slurry state formed by suspending in a solvent, in a method of producing dimethyl ether from a mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen or a mixed gas them further containing carbon dioxide and/or water vapor.
The above conventional method of producing dimethyl ether had some problems as follows:
As to the catalyst composed of oxides of copper, zinc, chrominum and aluminum, the mechanical strength of catalyst particles is insufficient and the catalyst particles are gradually powdered by the action of gas fluid, heat, etc. which pass through the catalyst layer at a high speed resulting in the occurrence of clogging of the catalyst layer.
Besides, it was also a problem that the water by-produced at the time of producing dimethyl ether from methanol reacts with the oxides of aluminum to degrade the strength.
Moreover, since the catalytic activity of the catalyst is gradually decreased with the passage of reaction time, when the catalytic activity is decreased, it is necessary to be regenerated. Accordingly, the catalyst must be taken out from the reactor and then regenerated. However, it was especially troublesome to take out the catalyst.
Furthermore, since the method of synthesizing dimethyl ether from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is an extremly great exothermic reaction, the method had a problem that partial heating is liable to occur and it is not easy to maintain and control the reaction temperature uniform.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above mentioned problems of the prior art and further to improve the method described in Japanese Patent KOKAI 3-181435 which the inventors previously developed, and an object of the invention is to provide a method of producing dimethyl ether wherein, mechanical strength is not required for the catalyst, taking out and regeneration of the catalyst are easy, and the removal of reaction heat and the control of reaction temperature are also easy.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to achieve the above object and is constituted by that, in a method of producing dimethyl ether from a mixed gas containing carbon monoxide and either or both of hydrogen and water vapor or a mixed gas of them further containing carbon dioxide, the improvement which comprises using a mixed catalyst prepared by pluverizing a mixed catalyst containing at least zinc oxide, copper oxide or chrominum oxide, and aluminum oxide, compressing to bind them by a high pressure press and then pulverizing again or a mixed catalyst comprising at least zinc oxide, copper oxide and alumina, in a slurry state formed by suspending in a solvent.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The solvent used in the invention may be anyone capable of becoming in a liquid state under reaction cond
REFERENCES:
patent: 5218003 (1993-06-01), Lewnard et al.
Lewnard et al, Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 45, No. 8 pp. 2735-2741, 1990.
Fujimoto Kaoru
Shikada Tsutomu
Sumigama Takashi
Yamaoka Yojiro
Kaoru Fujimoto
Mars Howard T.
NKK Corporation
LandOfFree
Method of producing dimethyl ether does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of producing dimethyl ether, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of producing dimethyl ether will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-288678