Patent ID: 6384274
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A process for the vapor phase oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid, comprising the steps of:(A) feeding a reactant composition comprising: (i) greater than 7 percent by volume propylene, (ii) oxygen, (iii) water vapor, and (iv) the remainder comprising a major amount of inert gas, into a reactor; the reactor including a plurality of contact tubes, containing at least one catalyst, disposed in a shell, wherein tic inside of the reactor shell is divided into at least first and second heat transfer zones through each of which a heat transfer medium passes and each contact tube comprises two or more reaction zones capable of effecting the preparation of acrylic acid from propylene, wherein the heat transfer zones are formed by at least one perforated tube sheet through which the catalytic contact tubes pass, and (B) contacting tee reactant composition with the two or more reaction zones to form a mixed product gas comprising acrylic acid.