(34b) Finding New Catalysts and Process for the Production of Acrylic Acid from Propane

In our process of evaluating several different pathways from propane to acrylic acid, our approach was two-pronged: 1) Evaluate processes for technical feasibility and 2) Evaluate and develop catalysts which can be used in these processes. The constraints we had were to develop a process with favorable CO2 production balance versus existing processes (green chemistry) and to be economically favorable. We developed several alternative processes which were evaluated from a process perspective versus the known two-step production of propylene from propane and subsequent oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid. The current favorite process uses CO2 as an oxidant in addition to oxygen to form propylene (ODH reaction), followed by conventional oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid. This process possesses a favorable energy balance and high propane conversion potential. Catalysts for the involved ODH reaction with CO2 and oxygen as oxidants were found and are currently being optimized.