Maleic Anhydride to Succinic Acid Conversion in a Green Hydrogen-Generating Flow Reactor with COSMO-RS Solvent Interaction Modeling

Abstract

Succinic acid is an important molecule for polymer and biological applications. Two main methods produce succinic acid: bioreactors using renewable feedstocks and catalytic hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is usually an energy- and cost-intensive process; however, electrolysis can generate hydrogen cheaply and deliver it efficiently. This study utilizes a reactor that can produce and inject electrolytically generated hydrogen to a Pd/C catalyst to hydrogenate maleic anhydride to succinic acid. Excellent conversion and selectivity were achieved at lower temperatures than those reported in the literature, with >99% conversion at ambient conditions. In addition, the interactions between maleic anhydride and various solvents were simulated to determine polarity, affinity, and activity coefficients, with the most compatible solvent being dimethylformamide (DMF) having a simulated activity coefficient of .53.