Continuous Dehydration of 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid to Acrylic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing acrylic acid rely heavily on fossil raw materials, which is undesirable for hygiene products, and existing dehydration processes of 3-hydroxypropionic acid face challenges in preventing unwanted polymerization and oligomer formation.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process for dehydrating aqueous 3-hydroxypropionic acid to form acrylic acid, involving distillation at reduced pressure to minimize oligomer formation and using a high-boiling organic solvent to dilute and separate acrylic acid, with rectification columns for efficient separation and purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 3-hydroxypropionic acid is dehydrated in the liquid phase, then acrylic acid is produced, but unwanted polymerization and oligomer formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the dehydration reaction at reduced pressure (less than 900 mbar) and controlled temperatures. This parameter modification lowers the risk of unwanted polymerization and oligomer formation while maintaining efficient acrylic acid production from 3-hydroxypropionic acid
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an organic solvent as an intermediary substance to dissolve 3-hydroxypropionic acid and conduct the dehydration reaction. The solvent acts as a mediator that facilitates the reaction while minimizing direct contact between concentrated acid molecules, thereby reducing oligomer formation and enabling controlled acrylic acid production
2Productivity
If water is distilled off from aqueous 3-hydroxypropionic acid, then dehydration efficiency is improved, but oligomeric 3-hydroxypropionic acid is formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the parameter of pressure by conducting distillation at reduced pressure (less than 900 mbar). This parameter change allows water removal and dehydration efficiency improvement while controlling the formation of oligomeric 3-hydroxypropionic acid through lower operating conditions
3Productivity
If acrylic acid is concentrated in the liquid phase, then production efficiency increases, but radical polymerization risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining reduced pressure (less than 900 mbar) during the dehydration and distillation processes. This parameter modification enables efficient acrylic acid production while keeping the concentration of acrylic acid in the liquid phase low, thereby reducing the risk of radical polymerization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process effectively reduces the risk of unwanted polymerization and oligomer formation, allowing for the production of high-purity acrylic acid from renewable sources, suitable for use in water-absorbing polymer particles.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the water is distilled off from aqueous 3-hydroxypropionic acid
Implementation Method 2
in a preliminary step, a portion of the water is distilled off from aqueous 3-hydroxypropionic acid... at a pressure of less than 900 mbar
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous mixture of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and oligomeric 3-hydroxypropionic acid is reacted in the liquid phase at a pressure of less than 900 mbar to form acrylic acid
Implementation Method 4
the aqueous acrylic acid obtained in step i) is separated by distillation at a pressure of less than 900 mbar into an acrylic acid-rich phase and a water-rich phase
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for dehydrating aqueous 3-hydroxypropanoic acid to form acrylic acid. In a first step of said method, an aqueous mixture of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and oligomeric 3-hydroxypropionic acid is reacted in a liquid phase to form acrylic acid, and aqueous acrylic acid is distilled from the liquid phase, and in a second step, the aqueous acrylic acid is separated by distillation into an acrylic acid-rich phase and a water-rich phase.