Kinetic study of methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide and hydrogen

Practical kinetic equations for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation are necessary for designing a highly efficient reactor. The kinetic equations were deduced from the reaction mechanisms for methanol synthesis and CO formation as well as from various kinetic experiments over our Cu/ZnO-based catalyst. The accuracy of the equations deduced has been verified by the comparison between the values calculated from the kinetic equations and the data obtained from various experiments in a test plant (50 kg day−1 of MeOH). Therefore, the kinetic equations developed in the present study have been found applicable to the design of a highly effective reactor employing our developed catalyst. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.