Methanol Synthesis by CO2 Hydrogenation over Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts under Fluctuating Conditions

Abstract

AbstractMethanol synthesis through CO2 hydrogenation under fluctuating conditions was investigated over a CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst in an integral reactor. The performance of the catalyst was examined under stable conditions at 563 K and 80 bar. For dynamic experiments, the H2/CO2 ratio of the feed gas was changed sequentially. Although the activity and selectivity towards methanol of the catalyst was affected more under dynamic conditions, long‐term stability of the synthesis process was not influenced. The results show that it is possible to operate methanol synthesis with a fluctuating feed gas composition, as it is the case when CO2 is captured from a power plant and H2 from an electrolysis unit driven by a regenerative energy source, such as solar or wind power.