| abstract |
A methanol synthesis process is described, which comprises reacting a process gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide over a catalyst comprising shaped units formed from a reduced and passivated catalyst powder said powder comprising copper in the range 10-80% by weight, zinc oxide in the range 20-90% by weight, alumina in the range 5-60% by weight and optionally one or more oxidic promoter compounds selected from compounds of Mg, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr, Ta, Mo, W, Si and rare earths in the range 0.01 - 10% by weight, to form a product gas, and condensing methanol, water and oxygenate by-products therefrom, wherein the total oxygenate by-product level in the condensate is below 500ppm. |