Effects of Solid Acid Modification on Dimethyl ether Synthesis from Syngas

Abstract

An effective and convenient method to modify solid acids was developed. The one step dimethyl ether synthesis from synthesis gas (Co/H2 = 1:1.2) was conducted under the reaction conditions of 54.4 atm, feed rate of 4500 mL/hr/gcat, and temperatures of 523 and 533 K. The strength and the amounts of acid sites were effectively modified by the treatment of formaldehyde. The addition of formaldehyde with sodium carbonate increased the amounts of weak acid sites on H-ZSM-5. Sodium carbonate addition without formaldehyde increased the yield of dimethyl ether.