American Cyanamid Company

Kin H Tsu

Ken Matsuda

John A Fetchin

Robert J Munch

Martin S Butensky

Solid catalyst of reduced copper magnesium silicate type is improved for its use in catalytic hydration of acrylonitrile to make acrylamide by calcining the catalyst prior to such use. Calcining strengthens the catalyst particles for longer catalyst life in the reactor and slows the rate of decay of catalytic activity so the average productivity over the life of the catalyst is improved.

Catalyst for hydration of nitriles

Use of copper ion in acrylamide solution during concentration to inhibit polymerization.

Processing of acrylamide solutions; concentration without polymer

In the catalytic hydration of acrylonitrile to produce acrylamide by contacting aqueous solution of acrylonitrile with a catalyst, the solubility of acrylonitrile in the aqueous feed solution is increased by presence of acrylamide cosolvent in the feed solution, enabling feed solutions having concentration of acrylonitrile higher than the saturation concentration of acrylonitrile in water without a cosolvent.

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Norwalk, CT, United States of America

Kin H Tsu