Abstract
The effect of steam on the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of propylene was investigated by means of a conventional flow apparatus.
By the dilution of the reaction mixture with steam the rate of complete combustion of propylene was depressed, but the rate of formation of acrolein almost remained unchanged, thereby increasing the selectivity to acrolein.
In order to hold the catalyst in the reduction state and preserve the high selectivity to acrolein, it was necessary to hold mole ratio of oxygen to propylene at a low value, and its maximum value decreased with the increase of water content. Steam is considered to promote the oxidation of catalyst to cupric oxide.
