The creating of KT-1-SN catalyst for phthalic anhydride production by o-xylene oxidizing in a fixed bed

Abstract

In the production of phthalic anhydride by oxidizing о-xylene, the most widely used catalysts were ball – the catalyst KS-278 in the Soviet Union and the Friedrichs (F-1) catalyst in foreign practice. The service life of the first catalyst was 1 year, the second was 3 years. By studying the conditions of gas flow catalytic surfaces Academician V.V. Struminskii concluded that the catalysts should be given a form, which reduces the resistance and the probability of vortices, i.e. a tubular shape with a length greater than that of Raschig rings. Embedded under his leadership at the Leeds Paint Factory the tubular catalyst KT-1-SN spent seven years with performance significantly exceeding the performance of catalysts KS-278 and F-1, namely: the output of phthalic anhydride by contacting step was 78 mol.% versus 68 mol.% on KS-278 catalyst, and the design capacity of the plant was exceeded by 23,5 % and energy consumption reduced by 25 % due to lower hydraulic resistance of the catalyst bed (0,18 atm versus 0,38 atm on KS-278 catalyst). Experience in operation of the tubular catalyst KT-1-SN can be used in modern production of phthalic anhydride, as well as in other industrially important processes, such as obtaining maleic anhydride, aniline, anthraquinone, and many others.