Abstract: The invention relates to an esterification unit (150) and esterification process for producing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) from methacrylamide (MAM), which enable particularly to improve the yield, meaning that the organics spent acids are low; and at the same time, providing crude MMA with rather good quality, meaning that MMA concentration in crude MMA is rather high and preferably from 50 wt % to 80 wt %. According to the invention, the esterification unit comprises esterification reactors (1, . . . , 5 (or 6) set up in a serial way so that there is a counter current flow between gaseous phase and liquid phase, the liquid phase flowing from first reactor (1) of the series to last reactor (5 (or 6)), and the gaseous phase flowing from reactor to first reactor (1).

Abstract: Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80° C. and 120° C., preferably between 95° C. and 115° C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a purification unit (200) which is able to separate crude MMA from light and heavy impurities in order to obtain high quality of MMA, suitable to produce optimal grade polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The unit (200) comprises two distillation columns (210, 250) in series, fed with mixture to be distilled in their median part, in order to separate each column in two upper (213, 253) and lower (212, 252) parts, the first distillation column (210) being fed with crude prewashed MMA, and the second distillation column (250) being fed with distilled liquid stream containing MMA, separated from light impurities, issued from bottom of first distillation column (210). The upper part (213) of first distillation column (210) is connected to a lateral extraction system (220), able to minimize MMA content in light impurities flowing upward said first column (210).

Abstract: The invention relates to an esterification unit (150) and esterification process for producing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) from methacrylamide (MAM), which enable particularly to improve the yield, meaning that the organics spent acids are low; and at the same time, providing crude MMA with rather good quality, meaning that MMA concentration in crude MMA is rather high and preferably from 50 wt % to 80 wt %. According to the invention, the esterification unit comprises esterification reactors (1, . . . , 5 (or 6) set up in a serial way so that there is a counter current flow between gaseous phase and liquid phase, the liquid phase flowing from first reactor (1) of the series to last reactor (5 (or 6)), and the gaseous phase flowing from reactor to first reactor (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor (201) for preparing hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, to an equipment (200) comprising said reactor and to a process for preparing hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process. The reactor (201) comprising at least one gas inlet (I) for reactant gases mixture, a catalyst (203), a porous support for the catalyst (204), a porous sub support (205, 206) and at least one outlet (P8) for the reaction products. According to the invention, said reactor has a cone frustum shaped metallic casing (210) and comprises inside the metallic casing, a gas distributor (202) located between the gas inlet and the catalyst, said distributor comprising at least one cone frustum element (D1, . . . Dn) having an upper base directed towards the gas inlet (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal conversion vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The thermal conversion vessel (200) is used for converting an hydrolysis mixture of ?-hydroxyisobutyramide (HIBAM), ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM), 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE) and methacrylique acid (MAA), into a mixture of 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE). at least one compartment (C1, C2, C3, . . . Ci) comprising an inner wall (206a, 206b, . . . 206i) separating said compartment into two communicating parts (C1a, C1b) by a passage provided between the bottom of said vessel and said inner wall, said compartment having a space above said inner wall, for separating gas phase from liquid phase during thermal conversion, said compartment being connected to an outlet valve (204a, 204b, . . . 204i). Such vessel allows obtaining a high yield thermal conversion in very safe conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an hydrolysis vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The hydrolysis vessel (200) is used for hydrolyzing acetone cyanohydrine with sulfuric acid to produce a mixture comprising ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM). It comprises at least one cooling system (212; 244) on its internal annular periphery area and it is divided into at least two stages, preferably three, along its vertical wall, each stage (S1 to S3) comprising a ACH feeding inlet (201, 202, 203). Such vessel allows controlling both homogeneity and temperature of the mixture, and thus obtaining a high yield for the hydrolyzing reaction in very safe conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an esterification unit (150) and esterification process for producing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) from methacrylamide (MAM), which enable particularly to improve the yield, meaning that the organics spent acids are low; and at the same time, providing crude MMA with rather good quality, meaning that MMA concentration in crude MMA is rather high and preferably from 50 wt % to 80 wt %. According to the invention, the esterification unit comprises esterification reactors (1, . . . , 5 (or 6) set up in a serial way so that there is a counter current flow between gaseous phase and liquid phase, the liquid phase flowing from first reactor (1) of the series to last reactor (5 (or 6)), and the gaseous phase flowing from reactor to first reactor (1).

Abstract: Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80° C. and 120° C., preferably between 95° C. and 115° C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

Abstract: Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80° C. and 120° C., preferably between 95° C. and 115° C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal conversion vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The thermal conversion vessel (200) is used for converting an hydrolysis mixture of ?-hydroxyisobutyramide (HIBAM), ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM), 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE) and methacrylique acid (MAA), into a mixture of 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE). It comprises: at least one compartment (C1, C2, C3, . . . Ci) comprising an inner wall (206a, 206b, 206i) separating said compartment into two communicating parts (C1a, C1b) by a passage provided between the bottom of said vessel and said inner wall, said compartment having a space above said inner wall, for separating gas phase from liquid phase during thermal conversion, said compartment being connected to an outlet valve (204a, 204b, . . . 204i). Such vessel allows obtaining a high yield thermal conversion in very safe conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal conversion vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The thermal conversion vessel (200) is used for converting an hydrolysis mixture of ?-hydroxyisobutyramide (HIBAM), ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM), 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE) and methacrylique acid (MAA), into a mixture of 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE). It comprises:—at least one compartment (C1, C2, C3, . . . Ci) comprising an inner wall (206a, 206b, . . . 206i) separating said compartment into two communicating parts (C1a, C1b) by a passage provided between the bottom of said vessel and said inner wall,—said compartment having a space above said inner wall, for separating gas phase from liquid phase during thermal conversion,—said compartment being connected to an outlet valve (204a, 204b, . . . 204i). Such vessel allows obtaining a high yield thermal conversion in very safe conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an esterification unit (150) and esterification process for producing crude methyl methacrylate (MMA) from methacrylamide (MAM), which enable particularly to improve the yield, meaning that the organics spent acids are low; and at the same time, providing crude MMA with rather good quality, meaning that MMA concentration in crude MMA is rather high and preferably from 50 wt % to 80 wt %. According to the invention, the esterification unit comprises esterification reactors (1, . . . , 5 (or 6) set up in a serial way so that there is a counter current flow between gaseous phase and liquid phase, the liquid phase flowing from first reactor (1) of the series to last reactor (5 (or 6)), and the gaseous phase flowing from reactor to first reactor (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a purification unit (200) which is able to separate crude MMA from light and heavy impurities in order to obtain high quality of MMA, suitable to produce optimal grade polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The unit (200) comprises two distillation columns (210, 250) in series, fed with mixture to be distilled in their median part, in order to separate each column in two upper (213, 253) and lower (212, 252) parts, the first distillation column (210) being fed with crude prewashed MMA, and the second distillation column (250) being fed with distilled liquid stream containing MMA, separated from light impurities, issued from bottom of first distillation column (210). The upper part (213) of first distillation column (210) is connected to a lateral extraction system (220), able to minimize MMA content in light impurities flowing upward said first column (210).

Abstract: The invention relates to an hydrolysis vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The hydrolysis vessel (200) is used for hydrolyzing acetone cyanohydrine with sulfuric acid to produce a mixture comprising ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM). It comprises at least one cooling system (212; 244) on its internal annular periphery area and it is divided into at least two stages, preferably three, along its vertical wall, each stage (S1 to S3) comprising a ACH feeding inlet (201, 202, 203). Such vessel allows controlling both homogeneity and temperature of the mixture, and thus obtaining a high yield for the hydrolyzing reaction in very safe conditions.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a process and an installation (100) for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, and more precisely for improving the conditions of mixing the reactant gases before feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60), in order to improve safety, to avoid any risk of explosion and to produce HCN in safe and efficient manner. The installation is configured in such a manner that oxygen is pre-mixed with air with a ratio comprised between 20.95% and 32.5% by volume, preferably between 25% and 30.5% by volume; methane containing gas and ammonia are simultaneously added in the pre-mixture of oxygen-enriched air in such a manner that the volumic ratio of methane to ammonia is comprised between 1.35 and 1.02 depending on the content of oxygen into air; said obtained reactant gases mixture having a temperature comprised between 80° C. and 120° C., preferably between 95° C. and 115° C. for feeding the Andrussow type reactor (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor (201) for preparing hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process, to an equipment (200) comprising said reactor and to a process for preparing hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process. The reactor (201) comprising at least one gas inlet (I) for reactant gases mixture, a catalyst (203), a porous support for the catalyst (204), a porous sub support (205, 206) and at least one outlet (P8) for the reaction products. According to the invention, said reactor has a cone frustum shaped metallic casing (210) and comprises inside the metallic casing, a gas distributor (202) located between the gas inlet and the catalyst, said distributor comprising at least one cone frustum element (D1, . . . Dn) having an upper base directed towards the gas inlet (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal conversion vessel (200) used during amidification step of acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), in the industrial process for production of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) or methacrylic acid (MAA). The thermal conversion vessel (200) is used for converting an hydrolysis mixture of ?-hydroxyisobutyramide (HIBAM), ?-sulfatoisobutyramide (SIBAM), 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE) and methacrylique acid (MAA), into a mixture of 2-methacrylamide (MACRYDE). It comprises:—at least one compartment (C1, C2, C3, . . . Ci) comprising an inner wall (206a, 206b, . . . 206i) separating said compartment into two communicating parts (C1a, C1b) by a passage provided between the bottom of said vessel and said inner wall,—said compartment having a space above said inner wall, for separating gas phase from liquid phase during thermal conversion,—said compartment being connected to an outlet valve (204a, 204b, . . . 204i). Such vessel allows obtaining a high yield thermal conversion in very safe conditions.

Abstract: The process for the continuous preparation of homopolymers or copolymers by free-impinging-jet micromixing of fluids formed (1) of monomer(s) and (2) of an initiator system consists in micromixing the said fluids (1) and (2) and in recovering the mixture of these fluids in the form of a resultant jet Jr, originating from the point of impingement (I), the micromixture being obtained by: a) forming at least one group of at least two jets Ja of the said identical or different fluids, these jets coinciding at a point of impingement (I), the jets Ja of the same group all being of identical geometry, their axes being arranged such that their projections on a plane perpendicular to the axis (A) of the resultant jet Jr are distributed angularly in a uniform manner and these axes being inclined relative to the said axis (A) by the same non-zero angle ? of not more than 90°; b) simultaneously directing at the point of impingement (I) at least one jet Jb of a fluid which is different from at least one of the fluids o

Abstract: The process for the continuous preparation of homopolymers or copolymers by free-impinging-jet micromixing of fluids formed (1) of monomer(s) and (2) of an initiator system consists in micromixing the said fluids (1) and (2) and in recovering the mixture of these fluids in the form of a resultant jet Jr, originating from the point of impingement (I), the micromixture being obtained by: