Methanol Synthesis Over Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 Catalyst at Low Pressure

Abstract

A series of Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation method. The pH of solution was adjusted from 6 to 8 by using Na2CO3 solution. The prepared catalysts were evaluated for methanol synthesis from syngas (H-2, CO and CO2) at lower temperature and pressures. Catalysts have been characterized by N-2 physisorption, porosity measurements, XRD, TG/DTA, TPD (CO2/NH3) and XPS. Among all the catalysts pH 7 catalyst was shown higher catalytic activity towards methanol formation. It was found that the catalyst is mainly possessed the higher number of surface active sites (Cu-0/Cu+), acidic and basic nature and optimum synergism between three components (Cu-ZnO-Al2O3). The activity results were evaluated with and without CO2 in syngas and it was found that higher CO conversion and higher methanol selectivity in the presence CO2.