Development of a catalyst for conversion of syngas-derived materials to isobutylene. Quarterly report No. 15, October 1, 1994--December 31, 1994

The goals of this project are to develop a catalyst and process for the conversion of syngas to isobutanol. The research will identify and optimize key catalyst and process characteristics. In addition, the commercial potential of the new process will be evaluated by an economic analysis. Previous work identified Pt or Pd on Zn/Mn[Zr co-precipitated metal oxides as promising catalysts for the conversion of a 10/1 methanol/ethanol blend to higher oxygenates. A series of catalysts have been prepared to determine the effects of metal oxide support composition and noble metal loading on the performance of these catalysts. The three components of the metal oxide have been systematically varied from 10% to 60%. These supports have been tested in the pilot plant with 2% Pt and 2% Pd added. Support composition has shown a surprisingly minor affect on both catalyst activity and selectivity. Supports with high Zn (>45%) and low Zr (<33%) have afforded the best selectivities for the desired branched C{sub 4} products. The Zn/Mn/Zr (60/20/20) support from this series has been impregnated with 0.5, 1, 2 and 5% Pt to evaluate the affect of noble metal loading. The best selectivities to the desired C{sub 4} oxygenates has been observed with the 2% Pt loading. However, the other catalysts showed higher activities as well as lower selectivities in the standard test. Therefore, a more detailed testing protocol will be employed to establish a selectivity versus conversion relationship in order to properly compare these materials. Evaluation of the 2% Pt on Zn/Mn/Zr (60/20/20) oxide catalyst at high space velocities has indicated that this material may have some activity for C{sub l}-C{sub 1}, condensation needed for methanol only conversion to higher alcohols. This material and others will be tested for methanol only conversion