Improvements in production of acrylonitrile

摘要

Acrylonitrile is continuously produced by the reaction of actylene and hydrogen cyanide in the presence of an aqueous acidic cuprous chloride catalyst solution in which tarry by-products are produced, the catalyst solution being regenerated by withdrawing catalyst solution and diluting it with water, so precipitating cuprous chloride and cyanide and leaving a major proportion of tarry by-products in solution; separating the precipitate and returning it to the main body of the catalyst solution. The amount of water used may be 5-10 times the volume of withdrawn catalyst solution. Additional copper compounds, ammonium chloride and water may be added to the catalyst solution to maintain its composition.ALSO:The recovery of copper salts from an aqueous acidic catalyst solution containing cuprous chloride, used in the preparation of acrylonitrile from acetylene and hydrogen cyanide and which contains tarry by-products, is effected by withdrawing catalyst solution, adding water, e.g. 5-10 volumes, to precipitate cuprous chloride and cyanide and leave a major proportion of the tarry by-products in solution, and separating the precipitate, which may be returned to the main body of catalyst solution. Additional copper compounds, ammonium chloride and water may be added to the catalyst solution to maintain its composition.