SBIR Phase I: Unique Catalytic System for Maleic Anhydride Production

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目旨在开发一种革命性的催化系统，用于使用网状陶瓷基板生产马来酸酐。丁烷氧化制马来酸酐是一个快速的放热反应。传统的挤出催化剂存在严重的扩散限制和床层传热差，导致产品收率低。第一阶段研究的主要目的是证明使用这种新基质合成的氧化催化剂优于传统的挤出催化剂。第一阶段研究的其他目标包括量化新基质在填充床上的传输特性。将合成传统和新型系统的催化剂，并获得一系列操作条件下的性能数据。超低的压降、高的相间传输速率和极高的效率系数将使这种新型催化系统比传统的填料床催化剂具有更高的催化剂活性和产物选择性。这将降低操作温度，减少CO和CO2的形成。潜在的商业应用：预计这类新型催化剂底物也将提高其他气相选择性氧化反应的性能，以产生重要的中间体，如环氧乙烷、邻苯二酸酐和丙烯腈。关键词：选择性氧化，网状陶瓷，马来酸酐，扩散限制

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a revolutionary catalytic system for the production of Maleic Anhydride using shaped reticulated ceramic substrates. Butane oxidation to Maleic Anhydride is a fast, exothermic reaction. Conventional extrudate catalysts suffer from severe diffusional limitations and poor bed heat-transfer leading to low product yields. The major objective of Phase I research is to demonstrate the benefits of oxidation catalyst synthesized using this new substrate over conventional extrudate catalyst. Other objectives of the Phase I research include quantifying the transport properties of the new substrate over packed-beds. Catalysts for both conventional and novel systems will be synthesized and performance data obtained for a range of operating conditions. A combination of ultra-low pressure drop, high inter-phase transport rates and an extremely high effectiveness factor will allow this novel catalytic system to enhance catalyst activity and product selectivity over traditional packed-bed catalysts. This willlead to lower operating temperature and reduction in CO and CO2 formation.Potential Commercial Applications: It is expected that this new class of catalyst substrate will also enhance performance of other gas-phase selective oxidation reactions to produce important intermediates such asEthylene Oxide, Phthalic Anhydride and Acrylonitrile.Key Words: Selective Oxidation, Reticulated Ceramic, Maleic Anhydride, Diffusional Limitations