Simulation And Study On MMA Synthesis Of Carbonylation Reaction

Methyl methacrylate(MMA) is an important monomer, which is widely used for producing acrylic plastics (polymethyl methacrylate) or producing polymer dispersions for paints and coatings. The world production capacity has been almost doubled in past 15 years, and reached about 2.95 million tones per year. The demand of MMA is still expected steady growth in the future. MMA is mainly produced by the method of acetone-cyanohydrins(ACH) in the world. The synthetic route is complex, the technical line is long, and after many steps the yield is low with high cost, particularly in this method seriously poisonous substance hydrocyanic acid is used as raw material, the treatment of numerous waste acids is difficult and the environment pollution is obviously. Considering all of these, it is greatly necessary to develop a new chemical technology to synthesis MMA. The production capacity of MMA can not meet domestic demand at present. Thus the research production process of MMA has great applied value.The biggest MMA supplier in the world Lucite International Chemical Industry Company Limited adopt advanced Alpha technology for MMA production, which enable to improve its quality and raise output, and conserve energy and materials thus lower its cost. The research about it just reaches a basic stage. The research about developing new process of MMA will filled the blank of research in the country, showing important theoretical and practical significance. The paper has a sufficient research on different way of synthesis of MMA production technology. On the basis of Lucite Alpha Technology from patent documentation, the new production process has been designed, and the process simulation is completed by Aspen Plus.The new process can be divided into five sections:Carbonylation Reaction,Methanol rectificationn,Carbonylation Catalyst Separation and Regeneration,Condensation Stage,Water Separations Section. The model of flow sheet unit was set up using commercialized chemical simulation software. Through comparision between simulation results and industrial value, accuracy and reliability of the modified kinetics are verified.Optimum operating conditions of flash evaporation unit were determined through analyzing the affect of operation temperature and pressure change to the content of seperation component. Distillation unit was simulated on the basis of empirical value:number of stages, feed location, operating pressure, reflux ratio and other parameters were reasonable modified to satisfy the requirements of industrial production.The proper reaction conditions were ascertained, and under the conditions, CO conversion and MEP conversion reached up to 37% and 10% respectively. The unit operation model and property method selected in the paper is accurate and reliable to simulate MMA production system, so the optimizing solution in this paper can contribute theory evidence for improving and new process development.