Modification of H-ZSM-5 and gamma-alumina with formaldehyde and its application to the synthesis of dimethyl ether from syn-gas

Abstract

H-ZSM-5 and gamma-alumina were treated with formaldehyde and sodium carbonate. The treatment increased the amounts of weak acid sites, removing strong acid sites. The maximum temperature of weak acid sites in their ammonia TPD spectra shifted in the direction of high temperature. The modified H-ZSM-5 and gamma-alumina were mixed with the methanol synthesis catalyst to perform dimethyl ether synthesis from syn-gas. The modified catalysts showed better selectivity to dimethyl ether, minimizing the reforming reaction to carbon dioxide. The maximum yield of 53.3% to dimethyl ether was achieved under the reaction conditions of 54.4 atm, 523 K, and the feed rate of 4500 Lhr(-1 .) gcat(-1).