KINETICS OF METHANOL SYNTHESIS IN THE SLURRY PHASE

The kinetics of methanol synthesis, from synthesis gas, over a commercial Cu-Zn-Al catalyst, in a three phase slurry reactor was studied in a 1 liter, top agitated, baffled autoclave. From the rate data on methanol formation, a Langmuir-Hinshelwood type rate expression has been developed which is sufficient for desing calculations,process improvement, and optimization of operating conditions. The kinetic model developed is free from pore diffusional resistances and is not masked by any mass transfer effects. The results of this kinetic model are in good agreement with the experimental results.