Thermal activation zinc-chromium methanol synthesis catalysts

It was established that a brief (several hours) heatup of the industrial zinc-chromium catalyst in a stream of reducing gas at 405 to 410/sup 0/C permits its productivity to be increased under conditions of industrial methanol synthesis from carbon monoxide and hydrogen by 20 to 30%. The selectivity of the catalyst does not change. On the basis of the data obtained a method was proposed for activation of the zinc-chromium methanol synthesis catalyst, which consists of a brief (3 to 10 hours) heatup of the catalyst in a reducing medium at 400 to 420/sup 0/C (preferably to 410/sup 0/C) during the time of reduction or after it. Activation can be carried out in an atmosphere of hydrogen, synthesis gas (CO + H/sub 2/), or other reducing agent. Higher temperatures are undesirable because of possible sintering and recrystallization. Accomplishment of this method in production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen will permit the productivity of industrial units to be increased (at least in the first months of operation of the catalyst) without significant cost.