Process Intensification in the Gas Phase Conversion of Dimethyl Maleate to Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

Process Intensification in the Gas Phase Conversion of Dimethyl Maleate to TetrahydrofuranApplication of a bifunctional Cu/ZnO/c-Al 2 O 3 catalyst enables the conversion of dimethyl maleate (DMM) to tetrahydrofuran (THF), which usually is carried out as multi-stage process, in a single fixed-bed reactor at 100 % THF yield. The spacetime yield of THF is almost unaffected by the H 2 /DMM feed ratio but can be enhanced considerably by raising the total pressure and, in particular, the reaction temperature.