Methanol, production environmental considerations

A reduction of the present levels of CO2 in the atmosphere has become a subject of increasing concern as regard the environmental pollution problem. Beside other choices currently under consideration its catalytic transformation at point sources, by hydrogenation into more valuable products (e.g. methanol), has been found particularly attractive. To this end, both commercial and novel (poison-resistant) types, among which supported catalysts based on Pd and other noble metals are gaining acceptance [1] and are now under scrutiny. 

Numerous types of basic heterogeneous catalysts, such as alkahne earth metal oxide, anion exchange resins and alkali metal compounds supported on alumina or zeolite can catalyze various chemical reactions such as isomerization, aldol, Michael, and Knoevenagel condensation, oxidation and transesterification [1], Today considerable attention is devoted to the production of biodiesel (FAMEs) as an alternative for petroleum-derived diesel fuel. Biodiesel is synthesized by direct transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fat with a short-chain alcohol, viz. methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol in presence of an acid, base or enzymatic catalyst [2], Considering the advantages of solid base catalysts, for easy separation and recovery, reduced corrosion and environmental acceptance [1], many studies have been conducted on basic heterogeneous catalysts development for biodiesel production [3-13],... 

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