In the present paper the reaction of 2-benzoylbenzoic acid dehydration has
been studied in the presence of different catalysts by using a batch reacto
r for screening the best catalysts and a pseudo-continuous multifunctional
reactor for determining catalysts productivity, reaction yields, catalysts
deactivation and regeneration on the previously selected catalysts that are
acid bentonite, Y- and beta -zeolites. This last reactor works also as eva
porator and condenser for separating and collecting produced anthraquinone
at a high level of purity. while water continuously formed evaporates in th
e atmosphere.
A kinetic model with vapour-liquid partition and catalyst deactivation has
been used to interpret the experimental runs. The liquid reacting mixture s
howed strong non-ideality favouring the evaporation and collection of pure
anthraquinone. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.