Abstract
The Vapour phase oxidation of methacrolein to methacrylic acid was investigated over a Mo-Co catalyst. After studying various problems in the preparation of Co-precipitated catalyst, investigations on the effect of the feed gas composition and contact time were carried out with the suitable catalyst obtained.
The suitable catalyst was prepared by Co-precipitation from aq. solution of cobalt nitrate and ammonium molybdate by addition of ammonia at 40°C and pH 5.0, followed by calcination of the precipitate for 5hrs. At the temperature of 500°C. The product was then kneaded with water, dried in the air bath for two hrs. and the resulting catalyst cake was finally ground into fine powder.
By passing a mixture consisting of 5.0% methacrolein, 10∼12% oxygen and 30% steam, over a portion of the suitable catalyst prepared as described above, at the temperature ranging from 380 to 405°C, and contact time of about 1.0sec, the following results were obtained. The conversion of methacrolein was 25 to 39%, the selectivity to methacrylic acid 70 to 80%, and its yield 20 to 27%.
