Maleic anhydride via butane oxidation

✍ Scribed by Malow, Monroe

• Book ID: 102188712
• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 428 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0278-4491
• DOI: 10.1002/ep.670040307

✦ Synopsis

The commercial synthesis of maleic anhydride was originally developed with benzene as feedstock by Allied Chemical Company in 1931 and had a long distinguished history before alternative feedstocks were introduced. After some early difficulties, including low yields, poor plant operating performance and substantial corrosion problems were overcome, the benzene to maleic process showed a vigorous growth, rising from 5MM lblyr (2.3 MM kglyr) in 1940 to 300 MM lb/yr (136 MM kg/yr) in 1975.

Benzene maintained its prime osition a s feedstock for cess, primarily high reactor selectivity at high conversion, providing excellent yields at high productivity. In addition, engineering improvements made throughout the years in energy recovery, crude product handling and distillation techniques gave increased back end yields and provided safe, efficient operation. Recently, however, several major factors have combined to increase the attractiveness of butane over benzene. These factors include: environmental considerations, economics, and process technology.

MAN due to the advanced state o P development of the pro-

FACTORS AFFECTING BUTANE REPLACEMENT OF BENZENE Environmental