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Title: Selective synthesis of acetaldehyde applying a fuel cell system in the gas phase

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2086887· OSTI ID:6489433
; ;  [1]
  1. Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo Inst. of Technology, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152 (JP)

The partial oxidation of ethylene applying a fuel cell system (C{sub 2}H{sub 4} + H{sub 2}O, Pd/silica wool disk holding H{sub 3}PO{sub 4} (aq.)/Pd or Pt, O{sub 2}) produces acetaldehyde very selectively ({gt}97%) in the gas phase. Palladium is the electrocatalyst for this selective synthesis of CH{sub 3}CHO. This method could solve a number of disadvantages of the Wacker process. The electrode prepared by hot-pressing a mixture of Pd black or Pt black with graphite and teflon powder improved the current and the rate of formation of CH{sub 3}CHO as compared to the electrode of the metal black alone. The kinetic results show that the higher the pressure of oxygen in the cathode compartment, the better for synthesis of CH{sub 3}CHO. However, the optimum pressure of C{sub 2}H{sub 4} in the anode compartment is 30 kPa. The optimum reaction temperature for the synthesis of CH{sub 3}CHO is 373 K. The applied potential across the cell enhanced the rate of formation of CH{sub 3}CHO without lowering selectivity.

OSTI ID:
6489433
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (USA), Vol. 137:7; ISSN 0013-4651
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English