Dimethyl ether synthesis over alumina based catalysts

Dimethyl ether is an excellent clean burning transportation fuel alternate for compression ignition engines and also an excellent fuel for household use. In the present study, catalytic performances of different alumina based catalysts, namely alumina impregnated SBA-15, a mesoporous aluminosilicate, which was synthesized following a one-pot hydrothermal procedure, and a commercial alumina catalyst, were tested in dehydration of methanol to produce dimethyl ether. Alumina impregnated SBA-15 had high Bronsted acidity, which facilitated the formation of dimethyl ether. This catalyst showed methanol conversion values close to equilibrium and about 100% dimethyl ether selectivity, at temperatures over 300 °C. The commercial alumina catalyst Al-T also showed very good performance in DME synthesis from methanol, even at temperatures lower than 300 °C.

► Al-SBA-15 and mesoporous aluminosilicate were hydrothermally synthesized.
► High dimethyl ether yield obtained by methanol dehydration over Al-SBA-15.
► Dimethyl ether selectivity reached to 100% over 573 K.