CARBON-MONOXIDE HYDROGENATION OVER RU/AL2O3 CATALYST

The catalytic behaviour of Ru/Al2O3 was investigated using the CO hydrogenation reaction at various temperatures. The main products included C1-C5 hydrocarbons together with methanol. Traces of ethanol and propanol were also formed. Methane selectivity increases with temperature. Olefin selectivity was found to decrease with temperature while that of paraffins arent through a maximum. The former was attributed to the secondary reaction of olefin hydrogenation which becomes efficient at relatively higher temperatures. The decline in the paraffin selectivity is though to be due to the hydrogenolysis of higher hydrocarbons at higher temperatures. The most significant aspect of the investigation is the formation of methanol over the catalyst. The amount of methanol formed was found to increase with time on stream suggesting that active species for alcohol synthesis are formed during the reaction.