MODELING THE CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF N-BUTANE TO MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE IN A CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR

A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) is a gas-solid contactor in which solids are transported vertically in a riser by a high-velocity gas stream. CFB reactors are becoming increasingly attractive for conducting specific catalytic reactions. The catalytic oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride (MAN) has been simulated for a 20-m-high, 30-cm-diameter CFB to investigate the reactor performance under various operating conditions. The comprehensive simulation combines a core-annular hydrodynamic model of the CFB with a fixed bed reaction kinetics model. Reactor performance is evaluated in terms of n-butane conversions, product yields, and selectivity. The simulation can easily accommodate different reaction kinetics and therefore can be used to predict the performance of a CFB reactor for any catalytic process.