Catalytic Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Dimethyl Ether over Cu-Zno/Meso-Sio2-Al2O3 Bi-Functional Catalysts

Dimethyl ether (DME) is an industrially important intermediate, as well as a \npromising clean fuel, but the effective production through traditionally consecutive \nsteps from syngas to methanol and then to DME has been hindered by the poorly \norganized structure of the conventional physical mixture catalyst. Here a Meso \nstructured Silica Alumina support on which the catalyst Cu-ZnO has been \nimpregnated was proposed to accomplish the DME direct synthesis from syngas. The \ncatalysts has been characterized by techniques like BET surface area (N2 adsorption \nstudies), Temperature programmed Desorption (NH3- TPD), Temperature \nprogrammed Reduction (H2-TPR) and FTIR. Experimental set up and procedure for \nthe synthesis has been discussed. The results obtained in these characterizations has \nbeen reported and analyzed.