Mathematical modeling of β-picoline oxidation to nicotinic acid in multitubular reactor: Effect of the gas recycle

Mathematical modeling of nicotinic acid synthesis process by means of β-picoline air oxidation in multitubular reactor was carried out. Factors that impact the process efficiency were studied. Special attention was focused on the role of recycling. The analysis was based on a two-dimensional quasi-homogeneous mathematical model of a tubular reactor and proprietary kinetic model of β-picoline oxidation over V2O5–TiO2 catalyst.

► Process of oxidation of β-picoline to nicotinic acid over V2O5–TiO2 catalyst. ► Mathematical modeling of the process in the multitubular reactor. ► The most practically acceptable reactor parameters are determined by optimization. ► The O2/β-picoline concentration ratio limits the recycled gas portion. ► Recycling increases catalyst productivity and lowers metal capacity.