| The kinetics of the vapor phase air oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde over molybdenum oxide catalysts, antimony oxide catalyst, and their mixtures (both supported and unsupported), at atmospheric pressure and different operating conditions, have been studied in a fixed-bed integral reactor heated by a fluidized sand bath.;The effect of various process variables, namely the process temperature (T), the ratio of catalysts to feed flow rate or space time (W/F), and the ratio of methanol fed to air (R), on conversion and yield have been determined.;A screening study at varying operating conditions was performed to determine the optimum composition of a Sb;The operating conditions studied were as follows: temperature in the range 623 to 698 K, space times from 5 to 50 ;This catalyst proved to be highly active and selective to formaldehyde formation. Yields up to ;The rate equation for the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde was derived on the basis of a two-stage redox mechanism;Several spectroscopic and analytical techniques, viz, electron spin resonance (ESR), x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and adsorption studies were used to characterize the catalysts. The surface are of the catalyst used in the kinetic study was 6.1 m;A preliminary study of the Sb-Mo oxide mixture (load of ;A new catalyst has been developed that gave nearly 100% conversion and 100% yield. The industrial potential of this catalyst is very promising. |
