Quality-optimized process for preparing a
vanadium / phosphorous
mixed oxide catalyst A quality-optimized process for preparing a
vanadium /
phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst (VPO-catalyst) containing crystalline vanadyl
pyrophosphate, comprising the steps: • (a) preparing a VPO catalyst precursor containing vanadyl
hydrogen phosphate by reacting a mixture containing a
vanadium-containing compound, preferably vanadium
pentoxide, and a phosphorous- containing compound, preferably
phosphoric acid or polyphosphoric acid, and optionally a promotor
metal containing compound, in an alcoholic medium, • (b) pre-calcining the VPO catalyst precursor, • (c) optionally shaping the VPO catalyst precursor, • (d) calcining the VPO precursor in an
oxygen containing
calcination atmosphere, • (e) taking at least one sample of the calcined VPO precursor during or after step (d), • (f) thermally treating, in at least one
temperature treatment step, the calcined VPO catalyst precursor in an
inert gas
atmosphere containing steam at a higher temperature than in the
calcination step (d), wherein the final VPO catalyst is obtained, • (g) determining, via XRD, the content of crystalline vanadyl
pyrophosphate of at least one sample taken in step (e), • (h) based on the result of step (g), modifying the
process conditions of step (d) with regard to one or more of the process parameters selected from
calcination time, calcination temperature and composition of the calcination
atmosphere in order to ensure that the content of crystalline vanadyl
pyrophosphate in the calcined VPO precursor is at least 45% by weight before step (f) is carried out. The VPO catalyst thus obtained is used for producing
maleic anhydride from n-
butane or
benzene.