A process is proposed for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG), in which at least one feed stream formed from synthesis gas (SG) is subjected to at least one synthesis step, in which components present in the feed stream are at least in part converted to dimethyl ether (DME), wherein at least one crude product stream is obtained which contains at least dimethyl ether (DME) and the unreacted components of the feed stream. The feed stream contains at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and has a stoichiometric number of 2.0 to 5.0. The feed stream further contains 4 to 20 mol percent carbon dioxide, and the ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in the feed stream is in a range from 0.5 to 4. The at least one synthesis step is carried out under isothermal conditions. A system for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG) is likewise subject matter of the present invention.

A process is proposed for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG), in which at least one feed stream formed from synthesis gas (SG) is subjected to at least one synthesis step, in which components present in the feed stream are at least in part converted to dimethyl ether (DME), wherein at least one crude product stream is obtained which contains at least dimethyl ether (DME) and the unreacted components of the feed stream. The feed stream contains at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and has a stoichiometric number of 2.0 to 5.0. The feed stream further contains 4 to 20 mol percent carbon dioxide, and the ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in the feed stream is in a range from 0.5 to 4. The at least one synthesis step is carried out under isothermal conditions. A system for production of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas (SG) is likewise subject matter of the present invention.

A method for producing butadiene, the method including: a first synthesis step of bringing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide into contact with a first catalyst to obtain a primary product containing ethanol as an intermediate; and a second synthesis step of bringing the primary product into contact with a second catalyst to obtain butadiene.

A method for producing butadiene, the method including: a first synthesis step of bringing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide into contact with a first catalyst to obtain a primary product containing ethanol as an intermediate; and a second synthesis step of bringing the primary product into contact with a second catalyst to obtain butadiene.

A process can produce alcohols having at least two carbon atoms by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas into a mixture containing alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols. Alkenes are converted into corresponding alcohols in a subsequent step by hydration of the alkanes. Before the hydration and after the catalytic conversion, gas and liquid phases may be separated. Specific catalysts can be employed that have a markedly higher selectivity for alkenes than for alkanes. These catalysts comprise grains of non-graphitic carbon having cobalt nanoparticles dispersed therein. The cobalt nanoparticles have an average diameter d.sub.p from 1 to 20 nm, and an average distance D between nanoparticles is from 2 to 150 nm. The combined total mass fraction of metal ? in the grains ranges from 30% to 70% by weight of the total mass of the grains of non-graphitic carbon, wherein 4.5 dp/?>D?0.25 dp/?.

Methods and catalysts for producing ethylene and methanol from natural gas are presented. Methods include integration of oxidative conversion of methane to ethane, ethane in situ thermal cracking using the thermal heat generated thereby and direct hydrogenation of byproducts to methanol or oxidative CO.sub.2 autothermal reforming of methane to syngas.

Methods and catalysts for producing ethylene and methanol from natural gas are presented. Methods include integration of oxidative conversion of methane to ethane, ethane in situ thermal cracking using the thermal heat generated thereby and direct hydrogenation of byproducts to methanol or oxidative CO.sub.2 autothermal reforming of methane to syngas.

Biomass is processed in a close to equivolumetric mixture of an alcohol and water at elevated temperature, in the presence of a metal catalyst and hydrogen. During this one-pot fractionation process, the hot liquor disentangles the polymeric biomass and depolymerises lignin and hemicellulose, while the catalyst and reductive environment are essential to accumulate and target stable products at high yield (such as phenolics and polyols, respectively). The process is particularly industrially relevant because its overcomes difficult and complex separation protocols, at place in classic biorefinery technology; the process foresees simple product recuperation in one process step into the three fractions; the solid carbohydrate pulp (mainly cellulose) is retrieved upon filtration, while phase separation of n-butanol and water occurs below 125 C. The three resulting product streams provide a versatile platform for down-stream conversion towards added-value bio-based chemicals.

Biomass is processed in a close to equivolumetric mixture of an alcohol and water at elevated temperature, in the presence of a metal catalyst and hydrogen. During this one-pot fractionation process, the hot liquor disentangles the polymeric biomass and depolymerises lignin and hemicellulose, while the catalyst and reductive environment are essential to accumulate and target stable products at high yield (such as phenolics and polyols, respectively). The process is particularly industrially relevant because its overcomes difficult and complex separation protocols, at place in classic biorefinery technology; the process foresees simple product recuperation in one process step into the three fractions; the solid carbohydrate pulp (mainly cellulose) is retrieved upon filtration, while phase separation of n-butanol and water occurs below 125 C. The three resulting product streams provide a versatile platform for down-stream conversion towards added-value bio-based chemicals.

Systems and methods for upgrading natural gas that may include the division of a natural gas feed steam into two partsone that is partially oxidized into syngas and a second that is dry reformed into syngas with the assistance of heat from the partial oxidation. Each of the resulting syngas products may then be combined, and after water is condensed from the syngas, the combined syngas product may be converted to dimethyl ether.