Development of a new low-temperature methanol synthesis process

A new reaction route of methanol synthesis at low temperature from CO ₂-containing syngas with Cu/ZnO catalyst and the aid of alcohols has been developed in a batch and a flow-type semi-batch reactors. The use of alcohols as catalytic solvents realized methanol synthesis at 443K with formate as an intermediate. The activity of methanol synthesis depends on types and structures of alcohols. Among all alcohols, 2-alcohol exhibited the highest activity. With the aid of 2-butanol, the one-pass 47.0% conversion and 98.9% selectivity were achieved at a mild condition, 443K and 50bar. The new reaction route of methanol synthesis is a practical method for near future technology.