PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF ACRYLIC ACID
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing acrylic acid, comprising:
- (a) providing a feedstock stream comprising beta propiolactone;
(b) directing the feedstock stream to a reaction zone;
(c) contacting the feedstock stream with a polymerization catalyst in the reaction zone;
(d) polymerizing at least a portion of the beta propiolactone to poly(propiolactone) in the reaction zone, wherein the temperature of the reaction zone is at or above the pyrolysis temperature of poly(propiolactone);
(e) thermally decomposing the poly(propiolactone) in the reaction zone to produce acrylic acid; and
(f) withdrawing an acrylic acid product stream comprising the acrylic acid from the reaction zone;
wherein steps (b) and (e) occur in the same reaction zone.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are integrated processes for the conversion of beta propiolactone to acrylic acid. Systems for the production of acrylic acid are also provided.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for producing acrylic acid, comprising:
-
(a) providing a feedstock stream comprising beta propiolactone; (b) directing the feedstock stream to a reaction zone; (c) contacting the feedstock stream with a polymerization catalyst in the reaction zone; (d) polymerizing at least a portion of the beta propiolactone to poly(propiolactone) in the reaction zone, wherein the temperature of the reaction zone is at or above the pyrolysis temperature of poly(propiolactone); (e) thermally decomposing the poly(propiolactone) in the reaction zone to produce acrylic acid; and (f) withdrawing an acrylic acid product stream comprising the acrylic acid from the reaction zone; wherein steps (b) and (e) occur in the same reaction zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
4. A method for producing acrylic acid, comprising:
-
(a) providing a feedstock stream comprising beta propiolactone; (b) directing the feedstock stream to a first reaction zone; (c) contacting the feedstock stream with a polymerization catalyst; (d) polymerizing at least a portion of the beta propiolactone to a poly(propiolactone) product stream, wherein the first reaction zone is maintained at a temperature to promote formation of poly(propiolactone); (e) directing the poly(propiolactone) product stream to a second reaction zone, wherein the second reaction zone is maintained at a temperature at or above the pyrolysis temperature of poly(propiolactone) such that the thermal decomposition of poly(propiolactone) produces acrylic acid; and (f) withdrawing an acrylic acid product stream from the second reaction zone. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
19. A system for converting beta propiolactone to acrylic acid, comprising:
-
(a) beta propiolactone; and (b) a cationic solid catalyst comprising a carboxylate salt, wherein at or above the pyrolysis temperature of poly(propiolactone), beta propiolactone begins polymerizing to poly(propiolactone) in the presence of the cationic solid catalyst, which poly(propiolactone) concurrently thermally decomposes to acrylic acid, and wherein acrylic acid formed in situ maintains the reaction polymerizing beta propiolactone to poly(propiolactone). - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
-
20. A system for converting beta propiolactone to acrylic acid, comprising:
-
(a) a reaction zone comprising beta propiolactone (BPL) and a cationic solid catalyst comprising a carboxylate salt, wherein at or above the pyrolysis temperature of poly(propiolactone) (PPL), BPL begins polymerizing to PPL, which PPL concurrently thermally decomposes to acrylic acid; and (b) a return loop for providing acrylic acid to the reaction zone.
-
Specification