Optimal reaction conditions for pyridine synthesis in riser reactor

Abstract Pyridine has been generally synthesized by aldehydes and ammonia in a turbulent fluidized-bed reactor. In this paper, a novel riser reactor was proposed for pyridine synthesis. Experiment result showed that the yield of pyridine and 3-picoline decreased, but the selectivity of pyridine over 3-picoline increased compared to turbulent fluidized-bed reactor. Based on experimental data, a modified kinetic model was used for the determination of optimal operating condition for riser reactor. The optimal operating condition of riser reactor given by this modified model was as follows: The reaction temperature of 755 K, catalyst to feedstock ratio (CTFR) of 87, residence time of 3.8 s and initial acetaldehydes concentration of 0.0029 mol·L − 1 (acetaldehydes to formaldehydes ratio by mole (ATFR) of 0.65 and ammonia to aldehydes ratio by mole (ATAR) of 0.9, water contention of 63wt% (formaldehyde solution)).