Manufacture of methanol
View Patent ↗An alcohol such as methanol is produced from an alkane such as methane and oxygen in a single step process using a heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst comprises the chloride salts of copper, potassium, lead and zinc.
1. A process for the manufacture of methanol from methane and oxygen in a single step wherein methane and oxygen are reacted over a heterogeneous catalyst comprising the chlorides of copper, potassium, lead and zinc to produce methanol, the reaction being conducted at a temperature in the range of 375° C. to 475° C. and under a pressure from 1 atmosphere to 20 atmospheres.
2. The process according to claim 1 in which the reaction is carried out in a fluidized bed reactor.
3. The process according to claim 1 in which an excess of methane is used.
4. The process according to claim 1 in which oxygen is supplied by air.
5. A process for the manufacture of alcohol from an alkane and oxygen in a single step wherein the alkane and oxygen are reacted over a heterogeneous catalyst comprising the chlorides of copper, potassium, lead and zinc to produce alcohol, the reaction being conducted at a temperature in the range of 375° C. to 475° C. and under a pressure from 1 atmosphere to 20 atmosphere.
6. The process according to claim 5 in which the alcohol is ethanol and the alkane is ethane.
7. The process according to claim 5 in which the alcohol is propanol and the alkane is propane.
8. The process according to claim 5 in which the alcohol is butanol and the alkane is butane.