Steps Of Catalyst Preparation Research Articles

C 1-C 6 alcohols from synthesis gas on copper-cobalt catalysts

In addition to developing its own C 1-C 6 alcohol production process and catalyst, the Institut Français du Pétrole has undertaken some fundamental studies on the genesis of mixed oxide precursors for CO hydrogenation. We present here some preliminary results on cobalt-containing heterogeneous catalysts for the selective synthesis of C 1-C 6 alcohols from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The optimal composition range in the systems Cu/Co/Cr or Al/alkali cation is discussed. The preparation procedure is shown to have a determining effect on the final selectivity towards alcohols. Using coprecipitation of the metal nitrates by alkali carbonate, the different steps of catalyst preparation are examined and correlated to the catalyst activity. Stability of this type of catalyst is assessed by some duration tests. Finally, the role of the different components of the catalyst and some hypotheses on reaction mechanism are discussed.