Catalytic Properties of ZSM-5 based Cu-Zn Catalysts Applies to Ethanol Synthesis from Syngas

Cu-Zn catalysts based on ZSM-5 were prepared with impregnation method. Their catalatic behaviors for the synthesis of ethanol from syngas were investigated in a fixed bed. XRD and H2-TPR were adopted to characterize the structure and of the catalysts. In the synthesis procession, such factors as ZSM-5 with varied n(Si)/n(Al) ratio, reaction temperature and space velocity were inspected carefully. The results showed that: changing the ratio of silica to alumina in the carrier zeolite has a great influence on the conversion of CO.with a n(Si)/n(Al) ratio of 80, the conversion rate of CO peaked at 25% and the selectivity to ethanol reached 22%. Optimal space velocity for Cu-Zn catalysts was 8400·mL−1·h−1·g−1