Abstract: A method for preparing acrylic acid, the method including: obtaining a reaction product including unreacted lactic acid, water, a light gas component, and acrylic acid by supplying a lactic acid aqueous solution to a reactor to allow a dehydration reaction to proceed; supplying the reaction product to a first cooling tower to separate the reaction product into a lower fraction containing unreacted lactic acid and an upper fraction containing water, a light gas component, and acrylic acid; supplying the upper fraction of the first cooling tower to a second cooling tower to separate a lower fraction containing water and acrylic acid therefrom; and obtaining acrylic acid by purifying the lower fraction of the second cooling tower.

Abstract: A method for preparing acrylic acid, the method including: obtaining a reaction product by supplying a lactic acid aqueous solution to a reactor to allow a dehydration reaction to proceed; supplying the reaction product to a first cooling tower to separate the reaction product into a lower fraction containing acrylic acid and lactic acid and an upper fraction containing acrylic acid, water, and a light gas component; obtaining a lower fraction containing acrylic acid and water by supplying the upper fraction of the first cooling tower to a second cooling tower; obtaining an extract containing acrylic acid and an extraction solvent by supplying the lower fraction of the second cooling tower to an extraction column; obtaining a lower fraction containing acrylic acid and lactic acid by supplying the lower fraction of the first cooling tower and the extract to an azeotropic distillation column; and obtaining acrylic acid by supplying the lower fraction of the azeotropic distillation column to an acrylic acid reco