The effects of synthesis operation conditions on the properties of modified γ-alumina nanocatalysts in methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether using factorial experimental design

Modified γ-Al2O3 nanocatalyst containing 2 wt.% SiO2 prepared by precipitation method showed high and stable performance in methanol dehydration to DME. Fractional factorial design (FFD) was used for optimization of preparation conditions. The pH of precipitation and the precipitating agent were found to have high influence on the methanol conversion compared to other preparation parameters. The optimum parameters for maximum DME yield were estimated as T = 50 °C, t = 2 h, pH = 7.5, mixing rate = 600 rpm and precipitator agent = NH4HCO3.50