Abstract

A model gas that mimics the syngas produced from gasification of municipal solid waste was applied, for the first time, to the synthesis of methanol over commercial Cu-based catalysts. The effects of various operation conditions, such as temperature, pressure, contact time (W/F), and H₂/COx and CO/COx ratios, on the methanol yield were investigated. The Cu-based catalysts containing a small amount of Mg showed a higher activity than that without Mg. The catalysts were characterized by Brunaure-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction, and temperature-programmed reduction. The methanol yield was the highest under the following operational condition: temperature 230-250^oC, pressure 60 bar, W/F 0.05 g·l/min, H₂/COx ratio 2, and CO/COx ratio 0.8.

Keywords: Cu catalyst, methanol synthesis, syngas, waste gasification.