Abstract: A process for purifying methyl methacrylate by feeding a product mixture comprising methanol, methyl methacrylate and alkali metal salts thereof, methacrolein, water and heavy byproducts to a distillation column having at least 15 trays. The product mixture and a C6-C7 hydrocarbon enter the distillation column above the middle of the distillation column. An overhead stream comprising C6-C7 hydrocarbon, methacrolein, methanol, water and methyl methacrylate and a bottoms stream comprising water, methyl methacrylate and its alkali metal salt and heavy byproducts are removed from the column.

Abstract: A process for purifying methyl methacrylate by (a) feeding a mixture comprising methyl methacrylate and its alkali salt into a distillation column above the middle along with a hydrocarbon; (b) removing a first overhead stream; (c) removing a first bottoms stream; (d) feeding the first overhead stream to a first water separator to produce (i) a first organic phase and (ii) a first aqueous phase which enters a methanol drying column which produces a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream; (e) feeding the first bottoms stream to a second water separator to produce (i) a second aqueous phase which is fed to an MMA stripper column which produces a third overhead stream and a third bottoms stream, and (ii) a second organic phase; (f) combining the second organic phase and the second bottoms stream into a third water separator which produces a third organic phase which enters an MMA drying column which produces a fourth bottoms stream, and (g) feeding the fourth bottoms stream to an MMA product column.

Abstract: Fouling of an MMA process is reduced by strategically removing an aqueous slip stream.

Abstract: A process for purifying methyl methacrylate by (a) feeding a mixture comprising methyl methacrylate and its alkali salt into a distillation column above the middle along with a hydrocarbon; (b) removing a first overhead stream; (c) removing a first bottoms stream; (d) feeding the first overhead stream to a first water separator to produce (i) a first organic phase and (ii) a first aqueous phase which enters a methanol drying column which produces a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream; (e) feeding the first bottoms stream to a second water separator to produce (i) a second aqueous phase which is fed to an MMA stripper column which produces a third overhead stream and a third bottoms stream, and (ii) a second organic phase; (f) combining the second organic phase and the second bottoms stream into a third water separator which produces a third organic phase which enters an MMA drying column which produces a fourth bottoms stream, and (g) feeding the fourth bottoms stream to an MMA product column

Abstract: A process for purifying methyl methacrylate by feeding a product mixture comprising methanol, methyl methacrylate and alkali metal salts thereof, methacrolein, water and heavy byproducts to a distillation column having at least 15 trays. The product mixture and a C6-C7 hydrocarbon enter the distillation column above the middle of the distillation column. An overhead stream comprising C6-C7 hydrocarbon, methacrolein, methanol, water and methyl methacrylate and a bottoms stream comprising water, methyl methacrylate and its alkali metal salt and heavy byproducts are removed from the column.

Abstract: A methanol/MMA azeotrope is broken or avoided by a method comprising the steps of (1) raising the pressure within a first vessel, e.g., a distillation column, that contains a methanol/MMA azeotrope, (2) collecting the azeotrope as a liquid, and then in a second, separate vessel, e.g., another distillation column, (3) raising the pressure sufficiently to allow for the breaking of or avoidance of the azeotrope and the recovery of the methanol.

Abstract: The azeotrope, or near azeotrope, of methanol and MMA is separated via extractive distillation using an extractive distillation solvent comprising cyclohexanone.

Abstract: Fouling of an MMA process is reduced by acidifying a stream comprising recycled components.

Abstract: Fouling of an MMA process is reduced by acidifying a stream comprising recycled components.

Abstract: The azeotrope, or near azeotrope, of methanol and MMA is separated via extractive distillation using an extractive distillation solvent comprising cyclohexanone.

Abstract: Fouling of an MMA process is reduced by strategically removing an aqueous slip stream.

Abstract: A process for preparing dry methacrolein, and a process for producing methyl methacrylate are disclosed.

Abstract: A methanol/MMA azeotrope is broken or avoided by a method comprising the steps of (1) raising the pressure within a first vessel, e.g., a distillation column, that contains a methanol/MMA azeotrope, (2) collecting the azeotrope as a liquid, and then in a second, separate vessel, e.g., another distillation column, (3) raising the pressure sufficiently to allow for the breaking of or avoidance of the azeotrope and the recovery of the methanol.

Abstract: A static mixer (10) for combining a first fluid and a second fluid. The static mixer (10) including a plurality of plates (18, 24, 32, 40) having orifices (20, 26, 28) formed therethrough. As the first fluid and the second fluid pass through the static mixer (10), the fluids are combined and mixed.

Abstract: A process for preparing dry methacrolein, and a process for producing methyl methacrylate are disclosed.