Aromatics Production via Methanol-Mediated Transformation Routes

Abstract

The methanol-to-aromatics (MTA) process is regarded as a promising route to produce aromatic commodities through non-petroleum carbon resources, such as biomass, waste, coal, natural gas, and CO2. In contrast with the industrially implemented methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process, most MTA studies are still in the laboratory-scale stage. Recently, a few demonstration plants of MTA have been successfully launched, indicating the importance and the gradual industrial maturity of this technology. However, there are still many fundamental questions and technological challenges that must be addressed. In this Review, we summarize the recent advances in mechanistic understanding on the reaction and catalyst deactivation during MTA, elaborate the available strategies to improve the catalytic performance, and correlate MTA studies with other important catalytic aromatization processes. With this knowledge in hand, we share our views on future research directions in this field.

Highly Enhanced Aromatics Selectivity by Coupling of Chloromethane and Carbon Monoxide over H‐ZSM‐5

“…It is worth noting that about 7 % of oxygenates, including acetone, acetic acid, and methyl acetate, were detected in the products after introducing CO. These findings differ from the results based on the hydrogen transfer mechanism such as methanol/alkanes-toaromatics, [2,15] indicating that a significant change in the reaction networks may occur during the CH 3 Cl conversion to aromatics in the presence of CO.…”

“…Various syngas-based technologies have been developed and commercialized successfully to date, [1] but aromatics manufacturing technologies have not been commercialized due to low selectivity and poor stability. [2] In this case, aromatic synthesis technologies based on methanol/ syngas have been thoroughly researched and focused on modifying ZSM-5 zeolite. [2,3] Despite tremendous advances, aromatic selectivity and catalyst stability continue to be key problems.…”

“…[2] In this case, aromatic synthesis technologies based on methanol/ syngas have been thoroughly researched and focused on modifying ZSM-5 zeolite. [2,3] Despite tremendous advances, aromatic selectivity and catalyst stability continue to be key problems. Consequently, exploiting an efficient approach for aromatic production from non-petroleum resources is critical for the sustainable chemical industry.…”

“…[8] Moreover, the indirect pathway via syngas/methanol is still in the laboratory-scale stage. [2] In doing so, despite significant attempts to overcome the problem of low aromatics selectivity and fast deactivation of catalysts during methane conversion, [9] the slow progress has impeded the further development of methane to aromatics.…”

“…Unfortunately, the selectivity to aromatics is not high (< 50 %) in all reports owing to the inevitable formation of alkanes via a hydrogen transfer reaction caused by the difference in the H/C ratios between methyl halide and aromatics, particularly for BTX. [2] Thus, development of a novel route for the conversion of CH 3 Cl to aromatics with high catalytic performance is attractive, while there remains significant challenges.…”