Kinetics of Propene Oxidation to Acrolein over Bismuth Molybdates

The conversion of alkanes/alkenes into useful intermediates is highly important in the chemical industry. In this study, the physicochemical properties and catalytically active forms of bismuth molybdates (BiMo) were investigated using the selective oxidation of propene to acrolein as a model reaction. The catalysts were prepared by two methods, coprecipitation and spray-drying, with emphasis on spray-drying. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The catalytic properties of the BiMo samples were studied in a conventional fixed-bed reactor operated under different reaction conditions. The one-dimensional (1D) pseudohomogeneous model was applied to describe the obtained experimental results. The experimental kinetic data were correlated with two complex kinetic models based on multiple reactions (parallel and serial reaction systems). The proposed models were verified by comparing computer simulation data with experimental laboratory results. This study aimed to extend the understanding of the relationship between catalyst composition/structure and catalyst activity/selectivity for different BiMo structures, and to propose kinetic models using two approaches based on parallel and series reactions, in line with efforts to improve the valorization of light olefins.