Conversion of Coal-Based Methanol to Ethylene and a Gaseous Fuel.

摘要

Development of a catalytic process which converts methanol into ethylene and a gaseous fuel similar to natural gas is reported. The objectives were to invent or discover a catalyst to convert methanol to ethylene,to evaluate the economic feasibility of producing ethylene,and to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of producing a gaseous fuel from coal-based methanol. An AW-500type catalyst proved to be the best catalyst for converting methanol into ethylene, 80to 98percent of the alcohol being converted into 16to 60percent yields of ethylene. Coal-based methanol was converted into a gaseous mixture composed of 50percent dimethyl ether, 33.3percent hydrogen and 16.7percent carbon monoxide by passing the alcohol over alumina and zinc chromite catalysts at 300-500degrees C. The gas mixture has a heat of combustion and flame temperature approximately equal to that of natural gas. The major cost of producing ethylene or gaseous fuel is the initial cost of synthesis gas produced from coal that is subsequently used to produce methanol.