Reaction mechanisms and catalysis in the one-step synthesis of methylal via methanol oxidation

Abstract

This paper reports on the scaling-up of a one-step methanol production process from the laboratory scale to the pilot scale. This lays the foundation for the industrialization of a one-step process for preparing dimethoxymethane (DMM) from methanol. The results of the stability tests indicate that the Fe–Mo/HZSM-5(80) catalyst has high stability and resistance to carbon build-up, and that the circulating fluidized bed has a good regeneration effect. In addition, in-situ DRIFTS was used to investigate the effects of the reaction time, Mo–Fe ratio, and carrier Si–Al ratio on the reaction and product distribution. It was found that the synergistic effect of oxidation centres and acid centres was the fundamental basis for the excellent catalytic performance of the Fe–Mo/HZSM-5 (80) catalyst. Further, the reaction mechanisms underlying the one-step synthesis of methylal via methanol oxidation were proposed.