Anhydrous diluents for the propylene oxidation reaction to acrolein and acrolein oxidation to acrylic acid

摘要

The processes for oxidation of propylene to acrolein and the oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid in two stages with acrolein as an intermediate are improved by use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluent gases to replace steam in the reaction streams. In particular, the use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluents which raise the composite heat capacity of the diluent gaas mixture to at least about 6.5 calories/(gram-mole) ( DEG C.) will improve selectivity to desired products and will reduce both the waste water load on the system and by-product formation.