Sustainable production of methanol from CO2 over 10Cu-10Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst in a magnetic field-assisted packed bed reactor

Abstract

In this work, with an attempt to improve both economic and ecological aspects towards green production of methanol, an external magnetic field was equipped with a catalytic packed-bed reactor for selective production of methanol through CO2 hydrogenation over Cu and Fe loaded on microporous ZSM-5 zeolite. The effects of reaction temperatures (180–260 °C) and CO2/H2 molar ratios (1:1–1:4) on selective methanol production were investigated under magnetic field direction of North-to-South (or N–S) at a flux intensity of 27.7 mT, and compared to those obtained without the magnetic field (conventional process). It was found that with the external magnetic field, the outstanding improvement in catalytic activity and selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation was observed. The highest CO2 conversion over 10Cu-10Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst was obtained at the CO2/H2 molar ratio of 1:3 under an external magnetic field. In addition, the alcohol production favored a lower reaction temperature. Using the external magnetic field, the CO2 conversion and selectivity to methanol were increased by factors of 1.7 and 2.24 at 220 °C, respectively. The application of magnetic field therefore helps facilitate CO2 adsorption and leads to selective methanol production, resulting in the opportunities to provide a green and sustainable innovation in chemical and petrochemical processes.