Activation of methanol/low temperature shift catalysts using soluble organo-metallic reducing agents

摘要

The present invention relates to a convenient process for the activation of catalysts, especially copper-zinc catalysts, for use in liquid phase methanol or liquid phase shift reactions, by reduction of the catalyst with soluble organo-metallic reducing agents. The reduction process is fast, can be carried out at atmospheric pressure and low temperature, i.e. less than 100° C., and yields active catalysts with smaller metal crystallite sizes than conventional hydrogen-nitrogen temperature ramping reduction processes.