STUDIES UNDER TRANSIENT CONDITIONS OF CO HYDROGENATION OVER RH CATALYSTS USING AN AUTOMATIZED MICROREACTOR

CO hydrogenation over supported Rh catalysts was studied in an automatized microreactor by methods of parameter-programmed reaction. It was evidenced how process variables and catalyst composition modify the reaction pathway and the product distribution. Molybdenum enhances the overall reaction rate, but favors to a larger extent methanol formation and the water-gas shift reaction (WGSR); the latter prevails at higher temperature and with longer residence time. Alcohol yield is promoted by addition of small amounts of CO2 to the feed via a reverse WGSR, but is suppressed by high concentration of CO2.