Assessment of LPDME Process: CO-rich and H{sub 2} rich syngas

A novel, single stage process for the synthesis of dimethyl ether (DMEE) from syngas in the liquid phase has been developed (LPDME). The process involves the production of methanol as an intermediate in the production of DMEE. To accomplish this, a dual catalyst system is slurried in mineral oil using a mechanically agitated slurry reactor. The catalyst system consists of Cu/ZnO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} for the synthesis of methanol and {gamma}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} for the subsequent dehydration of methanol to DME. The coproduction of DME and methanol using a dual catalyst system in the liquid phase reduces the chemical equilibrium limitations normally incurred in methanol production alone. As a result, higher per-pass conversion, enhanced reactor productivity and prolonged catalyst life are encountered over liquid phase methanol synthesis. Experimental investigation involves the kinetics of the process, effect of type of syngas on equilibrium conversion, and productivity comparison with the LPMeOH{trademark}. A particular emphasis is placed on the comparison of LPDME process results between coal derived CO-rich feed syngas and natural gas derived H{sub 2}-rich feed syngas.