Oxidation of butene to maleic anhydride: II. Effect of physical transport on reactor performance

Abstract

Effects of heat and mass transfer resistances on yield and selectivity were estimated for an exothermic multiple reaction, namely, butene oxidation to maleic anhydride over a vanadyl phosphate catalyst. The mathematical model of the catalyst pellet accounted for intraparticle concentration gradients and interphase concentration and temperature gradients. The catalyst particle was found to be essentially isothermal. Product distribution and axial temperature profiles were measured under varying operating conditions in a fixed bed reactor. A comparison between the experimental data and results predicted by the heterogeneous model of the reactor showed a fairly good agreement. Minor discrepancies observed could be attributed to the sensitivity of predicted results on certain parameters.