Research Projects

Methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) are essential for domestic and transport applications, but their availability for easy utilization is crucial. The Indian economy relies on technology for CO2 utilization, which is essential for carbon neutrality and fuel sustainability. Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol and DME synthesis via heterogeneous catalysts with modifiers like Zn, Zr, Ce, Al, Si, V, Ti, Ga, B, Cr, etc. on silica support can help improve the basicity and/or acidity characteristics of the catalyst. Water addition negatively affects the catalyst's activity and leads to faster catalyst deactivation. Removal of water is important, as it is produced less during CO2 hydrogenation compared to syngas. An appropriate support affects the formation and stabilization of the active phase of the catalyst and can tune interactions between major components and promoters. This work studies the thermodynamic limitations of methanol and dimethyl ether formation from carbon dioxide at high temperatures with low and moderate pressures. It investigates reaction conditions, catalyst properties, and catalytic performance for CO2 to methanol and methanol to DME. Modifiers are essential in hydrogenation of CO2, as more water is produced during the reaction, and in-stu absorption through modifiers enhances conversion rates. The proposal is to optimize production routes of methanol and DME directly using heterogeneous catalysts in a slurry reactor to understand challenges associated with reactions and catalysts.