Rohm Gmbh

Evonik Roehm Gmbh

Evonik Rohm Gmbh

Eduard Rundal

Steffen Krill

Rudolf Burghardt

Florian Zschunke

Daniel Helmut König

Torsten Panak

Torsten Balduf

Gerhard Koelbl

Martin Koestner

Gerhard Kölbl

Martin KÖSTNER

A process and a preparation plant prepares methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde, in presence of water and a homogeneous catalyst based at least on an acid and a base. A reaction mixture is introduced into a methacrolein workup plant and separated in a first distillation column, into a first distillation mixture in a gas phase at the top and a second distillation mixture in a liquid phase at the bottom. The first distillation mixture is condensed and, in a first phase separator, the organic phase and the aqueous phase of the condensate are separated from one another. The aqueous phase is introduced into a second distillation column, that is not part of the methacrolein workup plant, and is separated into a third distillation mixture in a gas phase at the top and a fourth distillation mixture at the bottom. The third distillation mixture is introduced into the methacrolein workup plant.

Process for preparing methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde and preparation plant for the purpose

A process and a preparation plant can prepare methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst mixture based at least on an acid and a base. For a good workup of the reaction mixture leaving the reactor, with a good energy balance and where the process has simplified apparatus implementation, the liquid reaction mixture under pressure is expanded in an expansion vessel and separated into a first expansion mixture in a gas phase and a second expansion mixture in a liquid phase. The first expansion mixture is condensed in a first condenser and the second expansion mixture is introduced into a first distillation column and separated therein, into a first distillation mixture in a gas phase at the top and a second distillation mixture in a liquid phase at the bottom. The first distillation mixture is condensed in the first condenser.

The present invention relates to an optimized process for the preparation of methacrolein. Methacrolein is used in chemical synthesis particularly as an intermediate for the preparation of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate or even active ingredients, fragrances or flavorings. In particular the present invention relates to the optimization of the process parameters by which, inter alia, a reduction of the content of harmful dimeric methacrolein in the end product may be achieved.

Optimized method for producing methacrolein

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Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany

Eduard Rundal