Vapour phase oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid on mixed oxides as catalyst

The vapour phase oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid is generally carried out by a two step process, involving acrolein as an intermediate. In this work, the kinetic data on the second step of the process, i.e. the oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid were obtained using a catalyst containing oxides of antimony, nickel and molybdenum. The effects of temperature, space time and concentration of acrolein and oxygen on the yield and conversion to acrylic acid were studied, and the most suitable conditions were determined for the process. Carbon dioxide was the major by product in the reaction. The formation of acrylic acid and carbon dioxide were correlated by suitable rate expressions.