Process for controlling a gas phase oxidation reactor for preparation of phthalic anhydride

US8901320B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Stefan Altwasser · Monsheim, DE
• Jürgen Zühlke · Speyer, DE
• Hao Chen · Walnut Creek, US
• Cornelia Katharina Dobner · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Frank Rosowski · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 13, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2014
• Expiry date: Dec 1, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D307/89
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a process for controlling a gas phase oxidation reactor for preparation of phthalic anhydride, by passing a gas stream which comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen through a multitude of reaction tubes arranged in the gas phase oxidation reactor, each of which comprises a bed of at least one catalyst and the temperature of which can be controlled by means of a heat transfer medium, at least one control parameter is measured and correcting interventions for control of the control parameter are determined, the at least one control parameter comprising the phthalic anhydride yield and the correcting parameter used being the temperature of the heat carrier medium. Over at least 90% of the lifetime of the catalyst, the change in the correcting parameter is limited to a maximum of 0.5 K within a period of 30 days. In this way, the cumulated phthalic anhydride yield over the lifetime of the catalyst is maximized.