Effects of Feed Composition and Space Velocity on Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Syngas

Abstract

Full factorial experimental design method was applied for investigation of the effects of different space velocity (SV) (500−1500 mLn/(g-cat.h)) and H2/CO molar feed ratio (1−2) on CO conversion and/or DME selectivity as the response variables over a physically prepared bifunctional catalyst (CuO/ZnO/Al2O3+ H-ZSM-5) for liquid phase direct DME synthesis from synthesis gas. The results showed that feed composition is the more effective factor on the response and the interaction of the SV and H2/CO only slightly influenced the response. The factor levels that can maximize the SDME are SV of 1500 mLn/(g-cat.h) and H2/CO of 1.5 at 240 °C and 35 bar.