Nano- and micro-scale engineering of MoS2-based catalyst for conversion of syngas to ethanol (2010-2013)
Abstract
Ethanol can be directly substituted for petrol as a transport fuel, in low blends (eg 10% ethanol, E10) in almost all new vehicles. Australia currently discharges to atmosphere, through venting or flaring, enough methane to easily supply 10% of the nation's petrol requirement. This project aims to develop a suitable catalyst and scalable synthesis method to economically convert synthesis gas (the product of coal or methane gasification) to ethanol. A special feature is the novel heat management approach for the reaction system to assure high selectivity to ethanol and good conversion. The outcome will be the development of a small scale, modularised gas to ethanol plant along with substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
