Intrinsic Kinetics of Dimethyl Ether Synthesis from Syngas

The intrinsic kinetics of dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from syngas over a methanol synthesis catalyst mixed with methanol dehydration catalyst has been investigated in a tubular integral reactor at 3-7 MPa and 220-260 ℃. The three reactions including methanol synthesis from CO and H2, CO2 and H2, and methanol dehydration were chosen as the independent reactions. The L-H kinetic model was presented for dimethyl ether synthesis and the parameters of the model were obtained by using simplex method combined with genetic algorithm. The model is reliable according to statistical analysis and residual error analysis. The synergy effect of the reactions over the bifunctional catalyst was compared with the effect for methanol synthesis catalyst under the same conditions based on the model. The effects of syngas containing N2 on the reactions were also simulated.