Claims
- 1. A process for the production of C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds comprising methanol and/or ethanol which process comprises contacting synthesis gas at a temperature in the range of from 150.degree. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from 1 to 700 bars with a catalyst comprising a mixture of a rhodium component and a silver component on the same support, said rhodium and silver components under the reaction conditions being substantially in the metallic form.
- 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas is in the range from 5:1 to 1:5.
- 3. A process according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support is silica, alumina, silica/alumina, magnesia, thoria, titania, chromia, zirconia, active carbon or a zeolite molecular sieve.
- 4. A process according to claim 3 wherein the support has a surface area in the range 1 to 300 square meters per gram.
- 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the catalyst also contains molybdenum and the support is silica.
- 6. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the pressure is from 20 to 300 bars.
- 7. A process according to claim 3 wherein the support is silica.
- 8. A process according to claim 3 wherein there is also incorporated on the support one or more other metal components selected from iron, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, ruthenium, chromium, and thorium.
- 9. A process according to claim 3 wherein, prior to the addition of the rhodium and silver components of the catalyst, the support is activated by the addition of one or more metals and non-metals selected from the alkali metals, thorium, manganese, iron, chromium, molybdenum, rhenium, boron and phosphorus, followed by calcination.
- 10. A process according to claim 3 wherein the temperature is in the range 200.degree. to 400.degree. C.
- 11. A process according to claim 3 wherein the pressure is in the range 20 to 300 bars.
- 12. A process according to claim 3 wherein the conversion is less than 20 mole % of the carbon monoxide.
- 13. A process according to claim 3 when operated continuously at a gas hourly space velocity in the range 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.6 per hour.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
8025261 |
Aug 1980 |
GBX |
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Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 285,409, filed July 20, 1981, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3957857 |
Pruett et al. |
May 1976 |
|
4162262 |
Ellgen et al. |
Jul 1979 |
|
4235798 |
Bartley et al. |
Nov 1980 |
|
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
10295 |
Apr 1980 |
EPX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Bhasin et al., J. of Catalysis, 54, 120-128, (1978). |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
285409 |
Jul 1981 |
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