Synthesis Technology of Acrylic Acid (AA)

What is Acrylic Acid (AA)

Acrylic Acid (AA) is an organic compound and the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, composed of a vinyl group directly connected to the carboxylic acid end. This colorless liquid has an irritating odor. AA is used as a monomer to produce acrylic resins and combined with alcohols to form acrylates. AA is also miscible with water, alcohols, ethers, and chloroform. Additionally, AA is an important bulk chemical, widely used in coatings, adhesives, textiles, leather, and more.

Synthesis Technology of Acrylic Acid (AA)

Propylene Oxidation Method

The synthesis technology of AA via the propylene oxidation method mainly includes the following steps:

Raw Material Preparation

Mix propylene, air, and water in certain proportions as reaction raw materials.

Oxidation Reaction

The mixed raw materials are fed into an oxidation reactor to undergo an oxidation reaction in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction temperature is usually controlled at 140-180°C, and the pressure at 0.2-0.4MPa. The main gases produced are acrylic acid, water, carbon dioxide, etc.

Gas Cooling and Absorption

The reaction gases are cooled and then enter an absorption tower for absorption. In the absorption tower, AA is absorbed by water to form an aqueous solution of acrylic acid.

Separation and Purification

The aqueous solution of AA undergoes distillation separation to obtain pure acrylic acid. During distillation, temperature, pressure, and other conditions must be controlled to ensure the purity and yield of AA.

Moreover, the propylene oxidation method can be divided into the one-step and two-step methods. The one-step method involves placing two different reactions on one catalyst, which offers advantages like a simple reaction device, short process flow, only requiring one catalyst, and less investment.

However, it features drawbacks like low AA yield, low production capacity, and short catalyst life. Therefore, the industrially preferred method is the two-step process. In the first step, propylene oxidizes to form acrolein, and in the second step, acrolein further oxidizes to form AA. This method allows each oxidation step to be in an optimal state, making it an economically viable and efficient process.

Methanol Acetic Acid Synthesis of Acrylic Acid (AA) Technology

Compared to the traditional propylene oxidation method, methanol acetic acid synthesis has advantages like lower investment, lower production costs, easy availability of raw materials, and a safer process. Therefore, this technology has broad market prospects and investment value. With continuous technological advancements and the progress of industrialization, the methanol acetic acid synthesis of AA technology is expected to become an important development direction in the AA industry.

As a professional acrylic acid supplier, Douwin owns its reliable AA production factory, which can provide high-quality AA and ensure supply quantities. If you are looking for a trustworthy AA supplier in China, Douwin is a reliable choice.