Oxidation of CO to CO2 in Melts Containing V2O5 and Alkali Oxides

Abstract

The conversion of CO to CO2 in the presence of V2O5 dissolved in a melt containing K2O and other alkali metal oxides was investigated in the temperature range 440 to 640 °C.The results indicate that CO may be oxidized to CO2 with a high overall reaction efficiency in a system of reactors connected in series. Molten salt solutions have the advantage, over solid "catalysts" in that they operate without being poisoned. The oxidizing capacity of these solutions is limited only by the depletion of V2O5 in the melts due to reaction and by the presence of large amounts of insoluble V2O4 solid which is a reaction product. The melts may be reactivated by treatment with oxygen.