Development of a catalyst for conversion of syngas-derived materials to isobutylene. Quarterly technical report No. 12, January 1, 1994--March 31, 1994

Abstract

The goals of this project are to develop a catalyst and process for the conversion of syngas to isobutanol. The research will identify and optimize key catalyst and process characteristics. In addition, the commercial potential of the new process will be evaluated by an economic analysis. This report describes pilot plant testing using a 10/1 methanol/ethanol feed blend to identify potential catalysts for the conversion of lower alcohols derived from synthesis gas to isobutanol and other C{sub 4+} oxygenates. The previous work in this project found that a typical Cu/Zn/Al oxide methanol synthesis catalyst is capable of producing isobutanol and isobutryaldehyde from a feed consisting of a blend of methanol and ethanol. Best performance was obtained at moderate temperature (300 {degree}C) and low pressure (30 psig). This report describes the results of space velocity testing with this catalyst to elucidate the reaction pathway. It has been found that at high ethanol conversion levels (low space velocities), yields of isobutanol and other C{sub 4+} oxygenates do not increase with increasing methanol conversion. This suggests that Cu/Zn/Al oxide is not active for the condensation of methanol alone to higher alcohols. Therefore, new catalyst formulations are being evaluated for this reaction using the Cu/Zn/Al oxide performance as a baseline. Promising materials will also be examined at high ethanol conversion levels and with a methanol only feed to determine their capability to condense methanol.