IN SITU ACTIVATION PROCESS FOR FLUID BED OXIDATION CATALYSTS

摘要

A process for activating fluid bed catalysts useful for producing maleic anhydride from 4 carbon atom hydrocarbons is provided including contacting the fluidized catalyst containing the mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus with oxygen and a reducing gas at least partially combustible with oxygen at elevated temperatures sufficient to cause such combustion, wherein the molar ratio of reducing gas to oxygen is below the stoichiometric ratio required for complete combustion of the reducing gas. Also provided are catalysts activated by the process of the invention, as well as a process for producing maleic anhydride utilizing the catalysts thus activated.