Dimethyl ether synthesis via methanol dehydration over BEA zeolite from bagasse fly ash with zircronium- and nickel-ion exchange

Abstract

The synthesis of dimethyl ether via methanol dehydration has been carried out over Beta zeolite (BEA) and ion-exchanged Beta zeolite from bagasse fly ash using hydrothermal method. The reactions were taken place in a fixed-bed reactor. The effects of nickel and zirconium ionexchanged of BEA were investigated. Ni-BEA zeolite exhibited high methanol conversion rate and DME-resultant upon the reaction temperature from 200 to 225°C with equilibrium-limiting condition over 225°C; Furthermore, the Ni-BEA zeolite presented the best stable activity at 225°C over 1,200 minute. The Ni-BEA zeolite has also been interesting as a zeolite which suited to be one role importance to improve the properties for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.