Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent under conditions effective to produce a crude acrylate product. A molar ratio of alkylenating agent to alkanoic acid is maintained at a level of at least 1.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of producing a crude product stream by reacting reactants comprising an alkanoic acid, an alkylenating agent and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the oxygen concentration across the reactor is from 0.5 to 10 wt %. The oxygen may be fed to the reactor through a plurality of feeds. The invention is also directed to methods of monitoring the oxygen concentration for the reaction and adjusting the oxygen concentration and/or placement of oxygen feed(s). The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a diluted crude acrylate stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the diluted crude acrylate stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt. % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: The invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process includes the steps of contacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent over a catalyst composition under conditions effective to produce the acrylate product. The catalyst composition comprises vanadium, bismuth and titanium. Preferably, the catalyst comprises 0.3 wt % to 30 wt % vanadium, 0.1 wt % to 69 wt % bismuth and 0.1 wt % to 61 wt % tungsten, in an active phase.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process includes the steps of contacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent over a catalyst composition under conditions effective to produce the acrylate product. The catalyst composition comprises a metal phosphate matrix containing vanadium and bismuth. Preferably, the catalyst comprises, in an active phase, vanadium to bismuth at a molar ratio of at least 0.02:1. Preferably, the catalyst composition is substantially free of titanium.

Abstract: The invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process includes the steps of contacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent over a catalyst composition under conditions effective to produce the acrylate product. The catalyst composition comprises vanadium, titanium and tungsten. Preferably, the catalyst comprises vanadium to tungsten at a molar ratio of at least 0.02:1, in an active phase.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting a reaction mixture comprising an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent composition under conditions effective to form a crude acrylate product. The alkylenating agent composition comprises at least 1 wt % of a ring-structured compound comprising at least two oxygen atoms and at least one carbon atom, e.g., trioxane and/or tetraoxane. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude acrylate product to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of dehydrating a crude alkylenating agent stream to form a dehydrated alkylenating agent stream and a water stream. The process further comprises reacting acetic acid with at least a portion of the dehydrated alkylenating agent stream to form a crude acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product and alkylenating agent stream. The dehydrating of the crude alkylenating stream is accomplished using at least one evaporator or at least one distillation column.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting an alcohol and oxygen in a reactor to produce a high temperature alkylenating agent stream comprising an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of contacting an alkanoic acid with at least a portion of the high temperature alkylenating agent stream under conditions effective to form a crude product stream comprising acrylate product and alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting a reaction mixture comprising an alkanoic acid, an alkylenating agent, and oxygen over a catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude acrylate product. Preferably, the reaction mixture comprises from 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % oxygen. The crude acrylate product comprises acrylate product and alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream. The purified acrylate product stream comprises acrylate product.