Published May 1974
The last Process Economics Program report on methacrylic acid and methacrylic esters (Report 11) was issued in May 1966. The current report updates the design of the acetone cyanohydrin process for methyl methacrylate, although the technical improvements in this area were minor. Also, the scope of the acetone cyanohydrin process was extended to include the manufacture of hydrogen cyanide and the decomposition of the ammonium acid sulfate by-product. The other methyl methacrylate process routes evaluated are the direct oxidation of isobutylene and the production and hydrolysis of methacrylonitrile. Both routes, evaluated in Report 11, were updated and the methacrylonitrile hydrolysis route includes the integrated production of methacrylonitrile. The trade literature shows a high level of activity in isobutylene oxidation but to SRI's knowledge no commercial plant is in operation on this process.
Other PEP Related Reports:
