Maleic Anhydride

Molecular Structure

Molecular Details

Molecular Formula	C₂H₂(CO)₂O
Molecular Weight	98.06 g/mol
State	Solid at standard conditions

Olefinverbund Integration

Chemistry & Engineering

Reaction Equation	C₄H₁₀ + 3.5 O₂ → C₄H₂O₃ + 4H₂O
Thermodynamics	Highly exothermic oxidation
Catalyst System	Vanadyl Pyrophosphate (VPO)
Reactor Class	Transport bed or Fluidized bed
Process Considerations	Butane feedstock is preferred over benzene (cleaner).

Extraterrestrial Production Pattern

1. n-Butane + O₂ → maleic anhydride (V-P-O catalyst)
2. Fixed-bed or fluidized-bed reactor at 400-450°C
3. Condensation and purification
4. Alternative: benzene oxidation (older process)

Applications

• Unsaturated polyester resins
• Surface coatings
• Lubricant additives
• Agricultural chemicals

Reaction Diagram

Overall Reaction: C4H10 + 3.5 O2 -> C4H2O3 + 4H2O

Unit Operations

Process steps following chemical engineering unit operation principles:

Step	Operation	Description
1	n-Butane Feed	Vaporize and mix with air (1.5-2%)
2	Oxidation	V₂O₅/P₂O₅ catalyst at 400-450°C
3	Partial Condensation	Condense crude MA from reactor gas
4	Absorption	Absorb remaining MA in water → maleic acid
5	Dehydration	Dehydrate maleic acid back to MA
6	Purification	Distill to >99.5% MA

S88 Batch Control Model

This module follows the ISA-88 (S88) batch control standard. Below is a simplified BatchML schema for educational purposes:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- ISA-88 Batch Control Model for Maleic Anhydride -->
<!-- Educational schema - simplified for demonstration -->
<BatchML xmlns="http://www.wbf.org/xml/B2MML-V0600">
  
  <ProcessCell ID="MA_PLANT_CELL">
    <Description>Process cell for Maleic Anhydride production</Description>
    
    <Unit ID="MA_PLANT">
      <Description>Main synthesis unit</Description>
      
      <!-- Equipment Modules -->
      <EquipmentModule ID="VAPORIZER">
        <Description>Vaporizer</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="REACTOR">
        <Description>Reactor</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="PARTIAL_CONDENSER">
        <Description>Partial Condenser</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="ABSORBER">
        <Description>Absorber</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="DEHYDRATOR">
        <Description>Dehydrator</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="COLUMN">
        <Description>Column</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
    </Unit>
  </ProcessCell>
  
  <MasterRecipe ID="MA_PLANT_RECIPE">
    <Description>Master recipe for Maleic Anhydride</Description>
    <ProductID>MALEIC_ANHYDRIDE</ProductID>
    
    <UnitProcedure ID="MA_PLANT_UP">
      <Description>Unit procedure for synthesis</Description>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_01">
        <Description>Operation 1</Description>
        <Phase ID="FEED">
          <Description>Feed phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_02">
        <Description>Operation 2</Description>
        <Phase ID="OXIDIZE">
          <Description>Oxidize phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_03">
        <Description>Operation 3</Description>
        <Phase ID="CONDENSE">
          <Description>Condense phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_04">
        <Description>Operation 4</Description>
        <Phase ID="ABSORB">
          <Description>Absorb phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_05">
        <Description>Operation 5</Description>
        <Phase ID="DEHYDRATE">
          <Description>Dehydrate phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_06">
        <Description>Operation 6</Description>
        <Phase ID="PURIFY">
          <Description>Purify phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
    </UnitProcedure>
  </MasterRecipe>
  
</BatchML>

**Key S88 Concepts:**
- **Process Cell**: The physical grouping containing all equipment for this process
- **Unit**: The major equipment that performs the synthesis
- **Equipment Modules**: Individual pieces of equipment (reactors, columns, etc.)
- **Unit Procedure**: The sequence of operations to produce the product
- **Phases**: The lowest level of procedural control (e.g., REACT, SEPARATE, PURIFY)

Key S88 Concepts:
• Process Cell: Physical grouping containing all equipment
• Unit: Major equipment performing synthesis
• Equipment Modules: Individual pieces (reactors, columns, etc.)
• Phases: Lowest level of procedural control (REACT, SEPARATE, etc.)

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This Synthesis Module is part of the 100chemicals Olefinverbund — an integrated chemical production network designed for extraterrestrial civilization on Moon and Mars.