A study on the effect of feed composition on methanol production of Cu-Zn/Zn-Al Oxide catalyst

Abstract

The methanol synthesis reaction is getting attention as CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) research. A MeOH synthesis catalyst has been developed for the application in MeOH-FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) process. In this study, the MeOH synthesis reaction was performed according to the various feed composition. The Cu-Zn/Zn-Al oxide catalysts were prepared by a two-step co-precipitation, and Cu/Zn/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by a one-step co-precipitation method. The prepared catalyst was analyzed by N2 physisorption, XRD, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, and CO2-TPD. The methanol synthesis reaction was performed in the fixed bed reactor with various compositions of H2/CO/CO2/N2, temperatures of 250 oC, a pressure of 40 bar, and GHSV of 4,444 h-1. It was confirmed that the addition of a small amount of CO2 increases the carbon conversion in the reaction and MeOH yield. It was also found that the MeOH productivity and Cu dispersion tendency were changed according to the Zn-Al oxide phase.