Acrylic acid is how to produce: a detailed analysis of acrylic acid production process

As an important chemical raw material, Acrylic acid is widely used in the production of coatings, adhesives, plastics, textiles and water treatment agents. This article will analyze the raw materials, production process and application direction of acrylic acid in detail to help you understand the production process of this important chemical.

Acrylic acid production raw materials

The production of acrylic acid usually takes propylene (Propylene) as the main raw material. As an important petrochemical product, propylene is extracted from petroleum by catalytic cracking or steam cracking. The production of acrylic acid is a process of further conversion of propylene, so the quality and supply of propylene are very important to the production of acrylic acid.

In addition to propylene, the production of acrylic acid also requires some chemical reagents and catalysts, which can help accelerate the reaction, increase production, and ensure the purity of the final product. Common catalysts include molybdenum-based catalysts and tungsten-based catalysts, which can effectively promote the oxidation reaction of propylene.

Acrylic acid production process

1. Propylene catalytic oxidation method

In the production method of acrylic acid, the most commonly used process is the catalytic oxidation of propylene. The basic principle of this method is to generate acrylic acid and by-products such as hydrogen peroxide and acrolein through the reaction of oxygen and propylene. This reaction generally requires high temperature and pressure conditions and relies on specific catalysts to increase the efficiency of the reaction.

Specific response is:

C3H6 O2 → C3H4O2 (acrylic) H2O

in this process, propylene and oxygen react over a catalyst to produce acrylic acid and water. The choice of catalyst is critical and can affect the conversion of the reaction and the purity of the product.

2. Oxidation reaction optimization

In actual production, in order to increase the yield of acrylic acid and reduce the formation of by-products, the reaction conditions are usually optimized in industry. For example, the reaction temperature, oxygen flow, and catalyst usage all need to be precisely controlled. The design of the reactor also has an important influence on the efficiency and yield of the reaction. By optimizing these parameters, the production efficiency of acrylic acid can be greatly improved.

Acrylic acid production by-products

In the production process of acrylic acid, in addition to acrylic acid itself, some by-products will be produced. Common by-products include acrolein (Acrolein) and hydrogen peroxide. These by-products sometimes require further processing or conversion to other chemicals, but their formation can also affect the purity of acrylic acid and the cost of production.

In order to reduce the formation of by-products, manufacturers usually adopt some process improvement measures. For example, by optimizing the reaction temperature and the choice of catalyst, the formation of acrolein can be effectively reduced and the yield of acrylic acid can be improved. The use of more efficient separation technology can also reduce the contamination of by-products and achieve a higher level of purity of acrylic acid.

Acrylic acid application field

The main application areas of acrylic include:

1. Coatings: Acrylic acid, as an important monomer, is widely used in the production of water-based coatings, paints and coating materials.
2. Plastics and synthetic resins: Acrylic acid can be copolymerized with other monomers to produce various polymers, such as polyacrylic acid (PAA), sodium polyacrylate, etc., which are widely used in the production of plastics, glues and textiles.
3. Water treatment: acrylic water solubility is better, can be used as a water treatment agent, effectively remove water impurities.
4. Personal care products: Acrylic acid is also used in the production of daily chemical products, such as shampoo, skin care products, etc., as a thickener and stabilizer.

Conclusion

From the point of view of how acrylic acid is produced, acrylic acid is produced mainly by catalytic oxidation of propylene. In the production process, the selection of reaction conditions and catalysts is very important for the yield and purity of acrylic acid. With the continuous optimization of the process, the production efficiency and economy of acrylic acid have been greatly improved, which further promotes its application in various fields. Understanding the production process of acrylic acid not only helps to improve production efficiency, but also provides theoretical support for the technical development of related industries.