Valorization of steel-work off-gases: Influence of impurities on the performance of Cu-based methanol synthesis catalyst

Heracleous E, Koidi V, Lappas AA, Hauser A, Haag S (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal Elsevier

Book Volume: 444

Article Number: 136571

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.136571

Abstract

The use of steel-work off-gases as CO2 source for methanol production is a promising strategy for the decarbonization of the steel industry. In this work, we show that typical impurities, namely S, N, Na, Ca and Fe, reduce the activity of a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst by blocking part of the Cu active sites. The extent of the activity loss is proportional to the poison-induced decrease in the exposed Cu surface area, suggesting that the poisons do not modify the nature, but rather the number of active sites. The only deviation is observed for Na, as its strong basicity leads to stronger binding of CO2 on the catalyst surface. Moreover, all catalysts suffer from methanol selectivity losses with time, due to thermal sintering that occurs similarly over the untreated and poisoned samples. Industrial CO2 off-gases can thus be exploited for methanol production after appropriate purification targeted primarily at the removal of metal impurities. The presence of sulfur and nitrogen is less critical to the catalyst performance.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alexander Hauser Lehrstuhl für Energieverfahrenstechnik

Involved external institutions

Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) / Ίδρυμα Τεχνολογίας και Έρευνας GR Greece (GR) Air Liquide Santé France FR France (FR)

How to cite

APA:

Heracleous, E., Koidi, V., Lappas, A.A., Hauser, A., & Haag, S. (2022). Valorization of steel-work off-gases: Influence of impurities on the performance of Cu-based methanol synthesis catalyst. Chemical Engineering Journal, 444. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.136571

MLA:

Heracleous, Eleni, et al. "Valorization of steel-work off-gases: Influence of impurities on the performance of Cu-based methanol synthesis catalyst." Chemical Engineering Journal 444 (2022).

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