Patent ID: 6737546
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for recovery of acid values from a gaseous mixture formed by catalytic oxidation of propylene with a gaseous source of dioxygen which process comprises:quenching the gaseous mixture comprising acid values of acrylic acid and acetic acid, steam and one or more non-condensable gas with an aqueous quench liquid to form an aqueous solution comprising acid values; contacting the aqueous solution with an immiscible solvent comprising propyl acetate and a cyclohexane to form an organic extract comprising acid values and a major portion of the propyl acetate, and an aqueous raffinate comprising a minor portion of the propyl acetate; fractionating the organic extract as by distillation to obtain a high boiling fraction substantially free of cyclohexane and a low boiling fraction comprising cyclohexane and steam; and thereafter fractionating the high boiling fraction to obtain an acrylic acid product substantially free of propyl acetate and a propyl acetate fraction comprising propyl acetate and acetic acid.