Method for producing dimethyl ether

Abstract

A method for producing dimethyl ether comprising forming a slurry by introducing a catalyst for producing dimethyl ether into a solvent and introducing a mixed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the slurry.

1 . A method for producing dimethyl ether comprising: 
 (i) providing a catalyst for producing dimethyl ether, the catalyst being produced by a method comprising forming a layer comprising a methanol synthesis catalyst which comprises copper oxide, zinc oxide and alumina, around alumina particles, the alumina particles having an average size of 200 μm or less, wherein the methanol synthesis catalyst layer formed around said alumina particles is in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight to 1 part by weight of the alumina, wherein the layer is produced by a method comprising:    (a) forming a slurry by introducing the alumina particles into an aqueous solution containing a metallic salt of one or more active elements of the methanol synthesis catalyst;    (b) heating the slurry at a temperature of 50 to 90° C. to provide a heated slurry;    (c) neutralizing the heated slurry with a base solution, whereby the one or more active elements of the methanol synthesis catalyst form deposits on the alumina particles;    (d) allowing the slurry to stand for a sufficient time or subjecting the slurry to a mild agitation for aging to sufficiently develop the deposits; and    (e) washing the layer with an acidic aqueous solution;    (ii) forming a slurry by introducing the catalyst into a solvent; and    (iii) introducing a mixed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the slurry.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixed gas further comprises carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mixed gas further comprises water vapor.  
   
   
       4 . A method for producing dimethyl ether comprising: 
 (a) providing a catalyst for producing dimethyl ether, the catalyst comprising:    alumina particles having pores; and    deposits which exist inside the pores, the deposits comprising copper oxide, zinc oxide and alumina;    (b) forming a slurry by introducing the catalyst into a solvent; and    (c) introducing a mixed gas comprising carbo monoxide and hydrogen into the slurry.    
   
   
       5 . The catalyst of  claim 4 , wherein a weight ratio of the copper oxide, the zinc oxide and the alumina is 1:005 to 20:0 to 2.  
   
   
       6 . A method for producing dimethyl ether comprising: 
 (a) providing a catalyst for producing dimethyl ether, the catalyst comprising:    a methanol synthesis catalyst;    a methanol dehydration catalyst; and a binder for integrating the methanol synthesis catalyst and the methanol dehydration catalyst;    (b) forming a slurry by introducing the catalyst into a solvent; and    (c) introducing a mixed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the slurry.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the methanol synthesis catalyst comprises copper oxide, zinc oxide and optionally alumina.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the methanol synthesis catalyst has a weight ratio of the copper oxide:the zinc oxide:the alumina of 1:005 to 20:0 to 2.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the methanol synthesis catalyst comprises zinc oxide, chromium oxide and optionally alumina.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the methanol synthesis catalyst has a weight ratio of the zinc oxide:the chromium oxide:the alumina of 1:0.1 to 10:0 to 2.