ALKALI COMPOUNDS AND COPPER CHROMITE AS LOW-TEMPERATURE SLURRY PHASE METHANOL CATALYSTS

A slurry phase synthesis of methanol via methyl formate in a single reactor at low temperatures (100-180-degrees-C) is discussed. Mixed catalyst systems comprised of alkali compounds (such as the hydroxide, formate, carbonate and bicarbonate) or alkali earth compounds and copper chromite as well as copper chromites impregnated with alkali have been found to be active for methanol synthesis. All the starting alkali compounds are converted by copper chromite to the corresponding alkali methoxide in solution. At low alkali methoxide loadings charged to the reactor, methanol formation increases with increasing methyl formate concentration while at higher loadings decreased rates of methanol synthesis are found, possibly due to blockage of hydrogenolysis sites on the copper chromite surface.