Synthesis Of Methyl Acrylate In Fluidized Bed Reactor

Methyl acrylate?MA?, a fundamental industrial monomer, is widely used in the production of coating, adhesives, plastics and SAP. In the commercial process, MA was produced through esterification of acrylic acid and methanol, prior to the synthesis of acrylic acid by two-step catalytic oxidation of propylene. However, the toxicity of the intermediate product, acrolein, combining with rising cost of propylene limit the application of this method. Hence, it is crucial to search an alternative synthesis method of MA.In recent years, the production of domestic acetic acid, MA and formaldehyde increased too fast and excess capacity was a serious problem. The one-step aldol condensation of methyl acetate?MAC? and formaldehyde?FA? to produce MA was an environment-friendly technology. The acid-base bifunctional catalyst showed good activity for this aldol condensation reaction. However, the acid-base catalysts all suffered the problems of unstability and deactivation result from coke deposition.The one-step fluidized bed process to synthesize methyl acrylate with MAC and FA was firstly proposed and developed. New spherical anti-wear acid-base catalysts Cs-P/?-Al₂O₃ were prepared with ultrasonic impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized with XRD, BET, SEM, PSD, TG/DTA and ICP, as well as NH3- and CO₂-TPD methods. Catalytic performance was evaluated and 10 wt% Cs-5 wt% P/?-Al₂O₃ with weak acid-base sites was proved to be potential catalyst for production of MA. Response surface methodology?RSM? was employed to optimize this process and 39.5 mol% yield of MA was obtained at optimized process parameters?reaction temperature 623.0 K, molar ratio of MAC to FA 5:1, LHSV 0.66 h-1?. The developed catalyst exhibited high stability and no obvious decrease of catalytic activity after 1000 h lifetime evaluation.