Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of a levulinate ester to maleic anhydride using a reducible oxide catalyst. Levulinic acid oxidation delivers maleic anhydride in good yields without viscosity and stability issues that make continuous production problematic. Due to the fact that levulinate esters are more amenable to processing, the conversion of levulinate esters to maleic anhydride represents an appropriate for the commercial production of maleic anhydride from renewable resources.

Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of a levulinate ester to maleic anhydride using a reducible oxide catalyst. Levulinic acid oxidation delivers maleic anhydride in good yields without viscosity and stability issues that make continuous production problematic. Due to the fact that levulinate esters are more amenable to processing, the conversion of levulinate esters to maleic anhydride represents an appropriate for the commercial production of maleic anhydride from renewable resources.

Abstract: The production of maleic acid and fumaric acid (or the anhydride form of either, maleic anhydride) via gas-phase, oxidative cleavage of levulinic acid in a single packed bed reactor over a reducible oxide catalyst. The production may be carried out in an initial mixing vessel into which levulinic acid is continuously charged and mixed with both inert (He, N2, Ar, etc.) and oxidizing (O2, air, etc.) gases. The feed stream can then be safely heated to reaction temperature, which generally ranges from 200-500° C., without initiating polymerization, in a second stage preheater that thermally equilibrates the gaseous mixture of LA, O2, and inert diluent and fed to a third stage catalytic reactor for final processing.

Abstract: The production of maleic acid and fumaric acid (or the anhydride form of either, maleic anhydride) via gas-phase, oxidative cleavage of levulinic acid in a single packed bed reactor over a reducible oxide catalyst. The production may be carried out in an initial mixing vessel into which levulinic acid is continuously charged and mixed with both inert (He, N2, Ar, etc.) and oxidizing (O2, air, etc.) gases. The feed stream can then be safely heated to reaction temperature, which generally ranges from 200-500° C., without initiating polymerization, in a second stage preheater that thermally equilibrates the gaseous mixture of LA, O2, and inert diluent and fed to a third stage catalytic reactor for final processing.