AbstractThe kinetics of the vapor phase oxidation of benzene has been studied over an industrial catalyst in a continuous stirred tank reactor in the temperature range from 280 to 430°C and at atmospheric pressure. The products obtained are maleic anhydride, carbon oxides and water. The rate of the overall reaction (disappearance of benzene) is represented by the following expression based upon a steady state adsorption model\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$ \gamma _B = \frac{{k_B k_o P_B P_O^{1\backslash 2} }}{{k_O P_O^{1/2} + 4k_B P_B }} $$\end{document}The rate of formation of maleic anhydride is correlated by the equation\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$ \gamma _M = \frac{{k_B k_O P_B P_O^{1\backslash 2} }}{{k_O P_O^{1/2} + 4k_B P_B }} - k_2 (g)P_M^{0.5} $$\end{document}which allows for a homogeneous depletion of maleic anhydride. The rate constants kB, kO, k2(g)were found to follow Arrhenius behavior.\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$ \begin{array}{ccl} {\ln k_B } & = & {\frac{{13.40}}{R} - \frac{{24\,576}}{{RT}}} \\ {\ln k_O } & = & {\frac{{67.83}}{R} - \frac{{64\,280}}{{RT}}} \\ {\ln k_2(g)} & = & {\frac{{3.43}}{R} - \frac{{33,427}}{{RT}}} \end{array} $$\end{document