Key points for protecting dimethyl ether catalysts

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(1) Under normal circumstances, the temperature of the catalyst bed should preferably not exceed 400°C. (2) Once the catalyst is put into use, every effort should be made to maintain continuous operation, and frequent shutdowns should be avoided as much as possible, since such shutdowns can affect the catalyst’s service life. (3) Under normal operation, the catalyst should maintain the reaction temperature as stable as possible to minimize fluctuations. While meeting the requirements for production capacity and yield, the catalyst should be operated at the lowest possible temperature; this not only helps to extend its service life but also improves the selectivity for dimethyl ether and reduces methanol consumption. (4) The mixing of substances such as sulfur, phosphorus, and chlorine into the methanol feedstock is prohibited, to avoid affecting the odor and properties of the product and potentially causing catalyst poisoning. Both the heating and cooling of the catalyst must be done slowly. (5) When the unit is temporarily shut down, and provided that the reactor does not experience overheating or overpressure, the inlet and outlet valves of the reactor can be directly closed to seal it off. If the parking time exceeds 12 hours, the reactor needs to be protected with nitrogen, maintaining the nitrogen pressure at 0.2–0.3 MPa.