LOW TEMPERATURE METHANOL SYNTHESIS CATALYST PRECURSOR

1286970 Catalyst precursor composition CATALYSTS & CHEMICALS Inc 29 Dec 1969 [26 Dec 1968] 63063/69 Heading B1E [Also in Division C2] A precursor composition which on reduction is a catalyst for the synthesis of methanol from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen comprises zinc oxide, copper oxide and alumina prepared from a homogeneous aqueous dispersion of the oxides by drying, wherein the zinc oxide to copper oxide weight ratio, based on the metals is from 0.5:1 to 3:1, wherein the quantity of alumina in the composition is 5 to 45 weight percent, wherein the zinc and copper oxides are derived from zinc and copper basis carbonates, and wherein the homogenous aqueous dispersion is formed by the subjection to a shearing force of an aqueous suspension containing not more than 20 weight percent of the oxides. Several suitable forms of alumina are specified, e.g. alpha, beta, gamma, delta, eta, theta, kappa, chi, rho or amorphous forms, hydrated aluminas being preferred to non-hydrated forms. Preferably the alumina is activated by calcining or by heating in steam to raise the surface area to above 59 m2/g. Small amounts of chromium may also be included in the composition.