Production of Diethyl Ether over Cr-Co/γ-Al₂O₃ Catalyst

Diethyl ether (DEE) is an important chemical in practical application. This substances actually very interesting to be object of study because its can be substitute the fuel oil such gasoline from the fossil. Its mean that DEE is one of alternative sources of energy. In this study the production of DEE was based on ethanol dehydration over a granule Cr-Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The reaction was conducted in a fixed bed reactor at range temperature of 100 to 200° C and atmospheric pressure. Un nitrogen gas is fed in reactor to push the ethanol vapor. Sampling the product of reaction is taken after the condition is steady state. The catalyst was analyzed by the BET and XRD method and the result indicated that the prepared catalyst has surface area of 162,840 m²/g with pore diameter of 0,3178 cc/g. The ethanol conversion under the variable condition attaints of 93.122% of and DEE yield is 0.34%.