The thermodynamics involved in the catalytic hydrogenation of CO, have been
examined extensively, By assuming that methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) a
re the main products, two reaction systems each consisting of two pararell
reactions were analyzed and compared in terms of the equilibrium yield and
selectivity of the useful products, methanol and DME. The calculation resul
ts demonstrated that the production of DME allows much higher oxygenate yie
ld and selectivity than that of methanol.