Lucite International UK Limited

Ineos Acrylics UK Limited

William David Parten

John Stuart Martin

Stephen Patrick Harrison

Joseph Youngblood Stuart

A formaldehyde-containing product is separated from a formalin solution containing formaldehyde, water, and methanol by distilling in the presence of a water entraining compound, especially methyl propionate or methyl methacrylate. The product contains substantially less water than in the solution and may be used, for example, in a further process which requires a source of formaldehyde containing a relatively low level of water, for example, the catalyzed reaction of methy propionate with formaldehyde and methanol to produce methyl methacrylate.

Dewatering process

A process for the manufacture of methyl methacrylate includes a process for separating the methyl methacrylate from certain impurities, at least one of which has a freezing point of greater than &minus;50&deg; C., by a fractional crystallisation process.

Process for the production of methyl methacrylate

A formaldehyde-containing product is separated from a formalin solution containing formaldehyde, water and methanol by distilling the solution in the presence of a water entraining compound, especially methyl propionate or methyl methacrylate. The product contains substantially less water than in the solution and may be used, for example, in a further process which requires a source of formaldehyde containing a relatively low level of water, for example, the catalyzed reaction of methyl propionate with formaldehyde and methanol to produce methyl methacrylate.

A process for the removal of formaldehyde species from a liquid carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester stream which forms a two-phase mixture with water is disclosed which comprises the step of subjecting the liquid organic mixture to at least one liquid liquid extraction stage wherein water is used as an extractant to produce an organic phase stream which is substantially formaldehyde free and an aqueous phase stream which contains substantially all of the formaldehyde in the output streams from the liquid liquid extraction. The process is particularly useful for reducing the formaldehyde content of a methyl methacrylate product stream.

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Stokesley, United Kingdom

William David Parten