The key technology for producing ethanol from methanol at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, namely the \"Pilot-scale research on the multi-phase carbonylation of methanol for the production of methyl acetate,\" has passed the achievement appraisal

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The key technology for converting methanol into ethanol, developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics – namely the pilot-scale production technique for manufacturing methyl acetate through the multiphase carbonylation of methanol – passed the evaluation for its achievements. Author/Source: Date: August 30, 2016. Views: 22. On August 26, the pilot-scale production technique for manufacturing methyl acetate through the multiphase carbonylation of methanol, developed in collaboration between the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shandong Lianmeng Chemical Co., Ltd., underwent an evaluation organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation in Beijing. Ethanol is not only an important solvent and chemical raw material, but also an ideal pollution-free, high-octane fuel and additive for vehicles. The technology route of methanol/syngas multiphase carbonylation and its hydrogenation to ethanol meets the requirements of China’s current industrial layout, offering significant advantages in terms of technology and production costs. Moreover, the technology for producing methyl acetate through methanol multiphase carbonylation is the key technology underlying this route. The appraisal meeting was chaired by Wang Xiujiang, deputy director of the Science and Technology Department of the Petrochemical Federation. The appraisal committee, headed by Zhao Dongyuan from Fudan University, carefully listened to the technical report presented by Ding Yunjie, a researcher at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. They reviewed the relevant pilot operation reports, novelty search reports, and other related materials, and unanimously agreed that this technology is highly innovative, is expected to bring good economic and social benefits, and that its technical parameters are at an internationally advanced level. The research team led by Ding Yunjie has developed Ir-La-based catalysts for the multiphase carbonylation of methanol to methyl acetate, which feature high dispersion, high activity, high selectivity, and high stability; these catalysts help to reduce the separation costs associated with the multiphase carbonylation reaction of methanol as well as the loss of precious metals. By using Ir-La-based catalysts and controlling the methanol conversion rate, as well as employing Hastelloy tubes in the iodine-containing carbonylation system, the project investment and production costs were successfully reduced. The overall space-time yield of methyl acetate and a small amount of acetic acid reached 3–5 kg/kgcat.h, enabling a new process for the multiphase carbonylation of methanol to produce methyl acetate.