Maleic anhydride by heterogeneous oxidation of n-butane

The catalytic performance of (VO)(2)P2O7, which is the industrial catalyst for the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride, was studied in relation to the preparation methods of the catalyst and the reaction conditions when using the catalyst. It was shown that the difference in the preparation method resulted in a difference in the specific surface area of the catalyst, while the nature of the active sites was not affected by the preparation method. The catalyst running under the industrial operating conditions exhibited activity dependent on the oxygen concentration. A high oxygen concentration was preferable for a high catalytic performance of(VO)(2)P2O7. It was suggested that not only the activation of n-butane on the catalyst but also the reoxidation of the catalyst was important for the n-butane oxidation on (VO)(2)P2O7. The features of several industrial processes were also discussed in terms of practical industrial technology and the catalytic properties of (VO)(2)P2O7. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.