Schladitz whiskers as catalysts and catalyst supports applied to methanol synthesis

Short-term tests indicated that a catalyst containing 10% copper plated iron whiskers gave a 4% enhancement in production of methanol per unit of reactor volume, although the whisker containing catalyst was 10% catalytically inert whiskers. Longer term tests indicated a lower rate of activity decay. A special series of tests indicated that the improved thermal conductivity of catalyst containing copper plated whiskers did result in a closer approach to equilibrium conversions. At 250/sup 0/C a 10% whisker catalyst attained 93% of equilibrium while a non-whisker catalyst was 88%.