US EPA

1117498 

Journal Article 

Kinetics studies of dimethyl carbonate synthesis from urea and methanol over ZnO catalyst 

Zhang, JL; Wang, F; Wei, W; Xiao, FK; Sun, YH 

2010 

1 

Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
ISSN: 0256-1115
EISSN: 1975-7220 

KOREAN INSTITUTE CHEMICAL ENGINEERS 

SEOUL 

27 

6 

1744-1749 

10.1007/s11814-010-0306-4 

WOS:000283837100017 

http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11814-010-0306-4
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A kinetic experiment of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis by urea methanol over ZnO catalyst was carried out in an isothermal fixed-bed reactor. A kinetic model based on the mole fraction was proposed and the kinetic parameters were estimated from the experimental results. The model predictions were compared with the experimental data and fair agreements were found. The effects of the reaction temperature (443-473 K), space time (0-4.7 h mol(-1) kg(cat)) and urea mass percent (5-9%) in feed on DMC mole fraction were investigated. It was found that the reactions are mainly influenced by the reaction temperature and space time rather than urea mass percent in feed. The experimental and simulated results indicated that the reaction from MC to DMC was the rate-controlling step in the DMC synthesis process from urea and methanol. It is important to remove the DMC and byproduct ammonia to achieve a high selectivity of DMC. This implies that reactive distillation might be used in the DMC synthesis on an industrial scale to achieve a higher selectivity of DMC. 

Kinetics; Dimethyl Carbonate; Methanol; Urea