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Seeking catalyst for efficient conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to methanol

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TRDE20171013002
Publication Date: 21 November 2017

Summary

A large German special chemical company is seeking novel catalyst for efficient conversion of CO2 rich off gases together with hydrogen to methanol. Ideally such alternative catalysts should be based on easily available base metals and accessible by conventional preparation techniques such as precipitation or impregnation.  Precious metals as the active mass would be an option as well. The project can be carried out in the framework of a joint venture, license or research cooperation agreement.

Description

The large German specialty chemicals producer is looking for a new technology for efficient conversion of power to methanol, describing the conversion of CO2 with renewable hydrogen. This is a highly promising technology as potential fuels derived from methanol such as dimethylether or oxymethylenethers, prove high potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of such synthetic fuels for a low carbon mobility in the future.



Industrial catalysts based on CuZnAlOx materials are highly efficient to convert CO rich SynGas, as derived from steam reforming of methane to methanol. However with rising content of CO2, catalyst productivity as well as stability becomes an issue for industrial applicability. Reduced thermal stability maybe attributed to the higher amount of product water when applying high CO2 content in the feedgas.



As a consequence, alternative catalytic compounds with improved hydrothermal stability and improved activity at low temperatures < 200°C would be desirable for thermodynamic reasons, as CO2 / H2 conversion to methanol is an exothermic reaction. Further details to be found in the technical specification.



The company is open to global partners and partnership in the framework of a joint venture, license or research cooperation agreement.

Expertise sought

Ideally such alternative catalysts should be based on easily available base metals and accessible by conventional preparation techniques such as precipitation or impregnation without major issues when produced in higher amounts.  Precious metals as the active mass would be an option as well, however loading should be low.  Preferably activity of the catalyst for reversed water gas shift (RWGS) should be low or even better not present. With regard to power to X applications suitability for instationary operation conditions preferrably would be given



•	Pressure 10bar – 60bar

•	High catalyst productivity: STY > 0,5 g MeOH g Kat-1 hr-1

•	Temp <300°C, preferably 150 - 200°C

•	Feedgas composition (CO2+CO) : H2 ~ 1:3 with CO2:CO > 4:1 

•	Space velocities up to 20.000 h-1

•	Conversion per pass > 50%, Selectivity to MeOH > 90%



From a direct comparison with a CuZnAlOx standard catalyst sample the alternative catalyst should show advantages under the given reaction conditions (which could differ from the parameters listed above) with regard to productivity and selectivity parameters.





The company is interested to review only technical proposal and ideally should provide relevant publications for reference.

Stage Of Development

Field tested/evaluated

Stage Of Development Comment

Not interest in purely academic approach in an early stage; i.e. all stages acceptable except for concept stage and project in negotiations.

Requested partner

The company is open to global partners and partnership in the framework of a joint venture, license or research cooperation agreement. All types of partners except for multinational large enterprises are acceptable.