Real‐Time Control of a Catalytic Solid in a Fixed‐Bed Reactor Based on In Situ Spectroscopy

A reality check: Reactor control by online spectroscopy is illustrated for a Cr/Al2O3 alkane dehydrogenation catalyst and a vanadium phosphorus oxide catalyst used in the selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. Rather than testing the product composition alone, the methodology monitors the state of the catalyst in the reactor, and changes the reaction conditions to keep the catalyst in its optimal state (see picture).