Simulation of the oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The selective air oxidation of methanol over a 96.6% silver ‐3.4% copper catalyst supported on α‐alumina was studied to determine whether by supplying heat from an external source the extent of the dehydrogenation reaction to formaldehyde could be increased relative to the oxidative dehydrogenation route. Preheated reactants were fed over the catalyst which was held in place between glass wool plugs within a 0.16 inch I.D. quartz U‐tube. The latter was suspended in an electrically heated bath of fluidized alumina used to maintain constant temperature. Product analyses were made by gas chromatography using a Porapak N column. A mathematical model was designed to simulate the observed results. The results show that with the catalyst employed the addition of heat to supply the requirements of the dehydrogenation reaction and to decrease the extent of the oxidative reaction is not favorable in terms of formaldehyde production efficiency.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: