Rohm Gmbh

Andreas Rühling

Steffen Krill

Belaid Ait Aissa

Florian Zschunke

Daniel Helmut König

Gerhard Kölbl

Mounir Stitou

Olaf Merker

Andreas Gräff

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

Process for producing alkyl methacrylates with improved water and acid management

A novel process can be used for a heterogeneously catalysed oxidation reaction, in the presence of a pulverulent noble metal-containing catalyst, where (meth)acrolein, an alkyl alcohol, in particular methanol, and an oxygen-containing gas are converted to an alkyl (meth)acrylate, in particular methyl (meth)acrylate. A corresponding reactor suitable for performing the reaction is also useful. The process allows for an effective retention of the particulate catalyst and the continuous discharge of fines fractions of the catalyst powder which are present, particularly in a fresh catalyst batch as a consequence of its preparation. Such fines fractions may also be produced by abrasion during the reaction. The process allows for effective recycling, recovery, and utilization of these discharged catalyst fractions.

Reactor and process for producing alkyl (meth)acrylates

A process produces methyl methacrylate by direct oxidative esterification of methacrolein. Methyl methacrylate is used in large amounts for producing polymers and copolymers with other polymerizable compounds. An optimized workup of the reactor discharge from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein allows for co-discharged fine catalyst particles to be very efficiently separated and optionally removed or recycled. In addition, this process can reduce the formation of byproducts in extended continuous operation compared to known variant. A reactor system contains stirrer configurations which allow virtually abrasion-free operation and thus a catalyst on-stream time of several years.

Reactor and process for producing alkyl methacrylates

A novel process can be used for producing methacrylates such as methacrylic acid and/or alkyl methacrylates, in particular MMA. The process leads to an increased yield and increased efficiency compared to other C4-based production processes, in particular processes starting from isobutylene or tert-butanol as raw material. The process can be operated for longer periods without disruption and with the same or even increased activities and selectivities. The process can also be executed in a manner that is as simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly as possible.

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Darmstadt, Germany

Andreas Rühling