Patent · US Expired

Homogeneous catalyst formulations for methanol production

US4992480A · kind A · utility

66Cited by
2References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 1990
Grant dateFeb 12, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/52
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

There is disclosed synthesis of CH.sub.3 OH from carbon monoxide and hydrogen using an extremely active homogeneous catalyst for methanol synthesis directly from synthesis gas. The catalyst operates preferably between 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and preferably at 100-150 psia synthesis gas to produce methanol. Use can be made of syngas mixtures which contain considerable quantities of other gases, such as nitrogen, methane or excess hydrogen. The catalyst is composed of two components: (a) a transition metal carbonyl complex and (b) an alkoxide component. In the simplest formulation, component (a) is a complex of nickel tetracarbonyl and component (b) is methoxide (CH.sub.3 O.sup.-), both being dissolved in a methanol solvent system. The presence of a co-solvent such as p-dioxane, THF, polyalcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and crown ethers accelerates the methanol synthesis reaction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.