Abstract: A process for the substantial or complete elimination of ammonium sulfate generated during the production of acrylonitrile by the direct ammoxidation of propylene/propane, ammonia and an oxygen containing gas (e.g. air) over a fluid bed catalyst wherein the improvement comprises introducing methanol into said reactor in the upper portion of the reactor at a location where the methanol reacts with at least a portion if not substantially all of the excess ammonia without affecting the acrylonitrile yield. Preferably, methanol is introduced into the reactor at below its coking temperature. In particular, when an oxygen lean fluid bed catalyst is utilized, an additional oxygen containing gas is introduced into the reaction at a distance between about 8 to 14 inches from the methanol feed location.

Abstract: A process for the substantial or complete elimination of ammonium sulfate generated during the production of acrylonitrile by the direct ammoxidation of propylene/propane, ammonia and an oxygen containing gas (e.g. air) over a fluid bed catalyst wherein the improvement comprises introducing an organic compound(s) into said reactor at a location where the compound(s) reacts with substantially all of the excess ammonia without affecting the acrylonitrile yield. Preferably, the organic compound is methanol which is introduced into the reactor at below its coking temperature.

Abstract: Waste water produced in an acrylonitrile plant and containing significant amounts of acrylonitrile and acrylic acid is processed so as to reduce its organics content for disposal purposes and to recover the acrylonitrile and acrylic acid contained therein. The waste water is treated by contact with activated carbon to adsorb the organics contained therein. The activated carbon is periodicaly regenerated with a desorbing liquid and the desorbate product is distilled to yield acrylonitrile and acrylic acid. Every fifth regeneration cycle, the activated carbon is regenerated thermally rather than means of a liquid in order to restore its activity to its original value.