Continuous three-phase 2-butanone ammoximation process via spray forming TS-1 microspheres in a highly efficient jet loop reactor

•80.1% conversion and 98.5% selectivity remain stable in 72 h continuous ammoximation.•TS-1 microspheres are prepared by spray forming process.•TS-1 microspheres have low membrane fouling and good catalyst stability.•High three-phase reaction efficiency is achieved using JLR.

A highly efficient jet loop reactor with ceramic membrane as a separator for a continuous three-phase system was developed to enhance the mass and heat transfer of ammoximation via TS-1 microspheres. It was interesting to find that the jet loop reactor could increase the conversion and selectivity of 2-butanone ammoximation by about 8.1% and 4.5%, respectively, significantly reducing the residence time in comparison with traditional stirred tank reactor. At the same time, a spray forming process was adopted to increase the size of the catalysts from 100-200 nm to 50-200 μm, it can prohibit membrane fouling and improve the catalyst stability. This process had negligible effects on the catalyst's specific surface area. Finally, the conversion and selectivity remained stable at about 80.1% and 98.5%, respectively, during 72 h of continuous operation of the ammoximation process.

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