Modified CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts for Methanol Synthesis from CO and CO2 Co-hydrogenation

A series of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 catalysts modified by different promoter were prepared by co-precipitation or incipient wet impregnation and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), N-2 physisorption, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) and carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption (CO2-TPD). The modified catalysts were tested for methanol synthesis from CO/CO2 co-hydrogenation in a fixed bed reactor with feed containing CO, CO2 and H-2(CO:CO2:H-2=1.0:1.08:6.24, volume radio). It is revealed that the catalysts modified by Zr, Mg, Ca has higher activity of methanol synthesis by CO and CO2 co-hydrogenation. Especially, the addition of Zr enhances the conversion of total carbon and the selectivity of methanol, which is due to the improved surface area, much more active sites, and the synergistically interaction between CuO and ZnO caused by the addition of Zr promoter.