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A Novel Synthesis Route for Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 Catalysts used in Methanol Synthesis: Combining Continuous Consecutive Precipitation with Continuous Aging of the Precipitate
Author(s) -
Kaluza Stefan,
Behrens Malte,
Schiefenhövel Nora,
Kniep Benjamin,
Fischer Richard,
Schlögl Robert,
Muhler Martin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201000329
Subject(s) - calcination , methanol , catalysis , precipitation , ternary operation , materials science , chemical engineering , microreactor , chemistry , organic chemistry , computer science , physics , meteorology , engineering , programming language
A novel continuous method for the preparation of a ternary Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst based on a cascade of micromixers and a tubular aging reactor is presented as a promising alternative route to the conventional batch process. Its application, in combination with immediate spray drying, enables monitoring of the formation of the final precursor by exchange reactions between initially separated phases during the aging step. These exchange reactions were successfully simulated by consecutive precipitation by using micromixers in series as analytical tool. After 60 min of continuous aging, calcination, and reduction, a catalyst is produced that exhibits an almost equal mass‐related activity in methanol synthesis compared to a commercial catalyst and an area‐related activity that is about 50 % higher.