The Analysis Of Maleic Anhydride Production Process

Maleic anhydride, as the third largest anhydride, ranks only second to acetic anhydride and phthalic anhydride. It is widely employed in many fields, mainly in unsaturated polyester resin, and also in pesticide, paint, lubricating oil additives and tartaric acid, etc. Now, the production methods of maleic anhydride are Benzene method, n-butane method, C4 olefin method and by-product of benzene anhydride method. Two technologies are used in China to produce Maleic anhydride: benzene method fixed bed water absorption as well as the normal butane method fixed bed water absorption. As an international trend, n-butane method will gradually replace benzene method, but benzene method will still be applied due to factors such as resources and prices of raw materials.This paper is mainly focus on the followings:1. The properties and application of maleic anhydride products, as well as their developing history and the current situation;2. Benzene method for maleic anhydride can be optimized through the loading of the catalysts, reactor pressure, air temperature of reactor inlet, space velocity and temperature of the molten salt;3.There are three oxidation processes for maleic anhydride using n-butane as raw material— fixed bed process, fluidized bed process and moving bed process;4. In addition to raw materials, the difference between benzene method and n-butane method for maleic anhydride is the cost, output, catalyst, environmental protection, etc. It has been proved through practices that n-butane method is raw-material-saving, technology-updating, and is a new trend for maleic anhydride production;5. The R&D and application of Benzene method for maleic anhydride; 6. Hazards of maleic anhydride brought to the environment cannot be ignored, and waste water, exhaust gas and waste residue should be treated in serious.