Study on deactivation of hybrid catalyst for dimethyl ether synthesis in slurry reactor

Deactivation of composite catalyst for one-step dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis in slurry reactor was studied under reaction conditions of 260°C and 5 MPa. The deactivation of the composite catalyst was mainly due to the deactivation of Cu-based methanol synthesis catalyst, whereas methanol dehydration catalyst was relatively stable. The deactivation rate of the Cu-based catalyst in slurry reactor was more rapid compared with that in fixed-bed reactor. The harmfulness of water, which was formed in the synthesis of DME, caused the Cu-based catalyst to deactivate at a high rate in slurry reactor. Carbon deposition and grain growth of Cu were important for the rapid deactivation of the Cu-based catalyst, and no obvious metal loss of Cu was found.