Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene to phthalic anhydride, which has a plurality of catalyst zones which are arranged in series in the reaction tube and have been produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gas stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a catalyst produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gaseous stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through two or more catalyst zones. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a catalyst system for gas-phase reaction using a preliminary zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides, which has a plurality of catalyst zones arranged in series and has been produced using a vanadium antimonate having a maximum content of crystalline valentinite of 5% by weight. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation in which a gas stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a catalyst which has a plurality of catalyst zones arranged in series and has been produced using a vanadium antimonate having a maximum content of crystalline valentinite of 5% by weight.

Abstract: In a process for controlling a gas phase oxidation reactor for preparation of phthalic anhydride, by passing a gas stream which comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen through a multitude of reaction tubes arranged in the gas phase oxidation reactor, each of which comprises a bed of at least one catalyst and the temperature of which can be controlled by means of a heat transfer medium, at least one control parameter is measured and correcting interventions for control of the control parameter are determined, the at least one control parameter comprising the phthalic anhydride yield and the correcting parameter used being the temperature of the heat carrier medium. Over at least 90% of the lifetime of the catalyst, the change in the correcting parameter is limited to a maximum of 0.5 K within a period of 30 days. In this way, the cumulated phthalic anhydride yield over the lifetime of the catalyst is maximized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer catalyst for preparing phthalic anhydride which has a plurality of catalyst layers arranged in succession in the reaction tube, with the individual catalyst layers having alkali metal contents which decrease in the flow direction. The present invention further relates to a process for the oxidation of naphthalene or o-xylene/naphthalene mixtures over such a multilayer catalyst and the use of such multilayer catalysts for the oxidation of naphthalene or o-xylene/naphthalene mixtures to phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst system for preparing carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides, which system comprises a plurality of superposed catalyst layers arranged in a reaction tube, where vanadium antimonate is introduced into the active material in at least one of the catalyst layers. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gaseous stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a plurality of catalyst layers and the maximum hot spot temperature is below 425° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides, which has a plurality of catalyst zones arranged in series and has been produced using a vanadium antimonate having a maximum content of crystalline valentinite of 5% by weight. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation in which a gas stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a catalyst which has a plurality of catalyst zones arranged in series and has been produced using a vanadium antimonate having a maximum content of crystalline valentinite of 5% by weight.

Abstract: What is described is a process for starting up a gas phase oxidation reactor for oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride, said reactor comprising at least one catalyst layer and being temperature-controllable by means of a heat carrier medium, wherein a) the catalyst layer is interrupted by a moderator layer which is less catalytically active than the catalyst layer or is catalytically inactive, b) a gas stream is passed through the reactor with an initial loading of o-xylene and at an initial temperature of the heat transfer medium, c) the loading of the gas stream is increased to a target loading and, in parallel, the temperature of the heat transfer medium is lowered to an operating temperature. The introduction of the moderator layer allows the loading to be increased more rapidly and the startup time to be shortened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gaseous stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through two or more catalyst zones. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a catalyst system for gas-phase reaction using a preliminary zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The catalyst contains an active substance which contains vanadium, alkali metal compounds and sulfate applied to a support. The support contains naturally occurring diatomaceous earth, wherein the support contains at least one relatively soft naturally occurring uncalcined diatomaceous earth which has a percentage reduction of at least 35% in its D50 value determined in a particle size determination according to the dry method in comparison with the wet method.

Abstract: Catalyst for preparing ethylene oxide, at least comprising silver applied to a support, the support having a BET constant C in the range from 0 to 800, determined in accordance with DIN ISO 9277.

Abstract: Process for preparing a catalyst for preparing ethylene oxide, which comprises silver and zinc applied to a support, where the process comprises at least (i) providing a support, (ii) applying zinc to the support according to (i) in an amount of from 10 ppm to 1500 ppm, in each case calculated as element and based on the total weight of the support according to (i), by bringing the support into contact with at least one mixture G1 comprising at least one zinc compound, (iii) drying and/or calcining the support obtained according to (ii), (iv) applying silver to the dried and/or calcined support by bringing the support into contact with at least one mixture G2 comprising at least one silver compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gaseous stream comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through two or more catalyst zones. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a catalyst system for gas-phase reaction using a preliminary zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene to phthalic anhydride, which has a plurality of catalyst zones which are arranged in series in the reaction tube and have been produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gas stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a catalyst produced using an antimony trioxide which comprises a significant proportion of valentinite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer catalyst for preparing phthalic anhydride which has a plurality of catalyst layers arranged in succession in the reaction tube, with the individual catalyst layers having alkali metal contents which decrease in the flow direction. The present invention further relates to a process for the oxidation of naphthalene or o-xylene/naphthalene mixtures over such a multilayer catalyst and the use of such multilayer catalysts for the oxidation of naphthalene or o-xylene/naphthalene mixtures to phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: In a process for controlling a gas phase oxidation reactor for preparation of phthalic anhydride, by passing a gas stream which comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen through a multitude of reaction tubes arranged in the gas phase oxidation reactor, each of which comprises a bed of at least one catalyst and the temperature of which can be controlled by means of a heat transfer medium, at least one control parameter is measured and correcting interventions for control of the control parameter are determined, the at least one control parameter comprising the phthalic anhydride yield and the correcting parameter used being the temperature of the heat carrier medium. Over at least 90% of the lifetime of the catalyst, the change in the correcting parameter is limited to a maximum of 0.5 K within a period of 30 days. In this way, the cumulated phthalic anhydride yield over the lifetime of the catalyst is maximized.

Abstract: Catalyst systems for preparing phthalic anhydride by means of gas-phase oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, and a process for preparing phthalic anhydride using the catalyst systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst system for preparing carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides, which system comprises a plurality of superposed catalyst layers arranged in a reaction tube, where vanadium antimonate is introduced into the active material in at least one of the catalyst layers. The present invention further relates to a process for gas-phase oxidation, in which a gaseous stream comprising at least one hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through a plurality of catalyst layers and the maximum hot spot temperature is below 425° C.

Abstract: Catalytic titanium dioxide mixtures comprising: a first anatase titanium dioxide having a BET surface area greater than 15 m2/g and a hydrogen uptake for the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ of from 5 to 20 ?mol/m2; and a second anatase titanium dioxide having a BET surface area less than or equal to 15 m2/g and a hydrogen uptake for the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ of from 0.6 to 7 ?mol/m2, processes for preparing catalysts containing the same, catalysts containing active compositions including such titanium dioxide mixtures on support materials, and catalyst systems using the same.

Abstract: Catalyst systems for preparing phthalic anhydride by means of gas-phase oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, and a process for preparing phthalic anhydride using the catalyst systems