Partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride over VPO in a simulated circulating fluidized bed reactor

The reaction of partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride, catalyzed by VPO, was experimentally studied in a fluidized bed reactor, operated alternating oxidizing and reducing feeds, simulating in this way a circulating fluidized reactor. The influence of feed composition and oxidation/reduction time on butane conversion, maleic anhydride selectivity and maleic anhydride production per unit catalyst weight and time was studied. Results for the simulated circulating fluidized bed were compared with that of a conventional fluidized bed.

Graphical abstractThe partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride catalyzed by VPO, was studied in a simulated circulating fluidized reactor (CFB), consisting of a fluidized bed operated alternating oxidizing and reducing feeds. The performance of the simulated CFB is strongly affected by the reduction feed composition and the cycle's duration. When compared with a conventional fluidized bed, the simulated CFB shows slightly worse combination of butane conversion-MA selectivity, although cycling operation provides better MA productivity for a wide range of operating conditions, and CFB presents more possibilities for optimization.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (86 K)Download as PowerPoint slide