M. Vaarkamp et T. Ushikubo, Limitations of V-Sb-W and Mo-V-Nb-Te mixed oxides in catalyzing propane ammoxidation, APP CATAL A, 174(1-2), 1998, pp. 99-107
Testing of several catalysts proposed in the literature revealed that the a
ctivity and selectivity of Mo-V-Nb-Te mixed oxides for the ammoxidation of
propane compares favourably with the activity and selectivity of V-Sb, Bi-M
o, and VPO mixed oxides under oxidizing reaction conditions. Ln addition to
a higher acrylonitrile yield, the required reaction temperature is also lo
wer. Reactor temperature, feed composition, and catalyst composition were o
ptimized. Acrylonitrile yields of >50% were obtained with Mo-V-Nb-Te mixed
oxide catalysts using a feed consisting of propane, ammonia, and oxygen in
a ratio of 1 : 1.2 : 3. Data on the decomposition of ammonia and the combus
tion of propane over Mo-V-Nb-Te, V-Sb, and Bi-Mo mixed oxides revealed that
the ammoxidation of propane is limited by propane activation for Bi-Mo mix
ed oxide and by ammonia activation for V-Sb mixed oxide. The high activity
and selectivity of Mo-V-Nb-Te mixed oxides was attributed to its ability to
activate both, propane and ammonia at low temperatures. (C) 1998 Elsevier
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