Butyl Acrylate

Butyl acrylate is a colorless transparent liquid, insoluble in water, but miscible in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. It has a strong fruity odor and is a flammable liquid that is a class 3 carcinogen. This compound has a wide range of industrial applications, including as a raw material for acrylate rubber substrates and pressure-sensitive adhesives. In addition, butyl acrylate can be used in the preparation of biodegradable mulch as an environmentally friendly material that helps reduce plastic pollution.

1. Acrylic acid esterification method
(1) Esterification reaction
Put acrylic acid and n-butanol into the esterification reactor at the mass ratio of 1:1.3 to carry out the esterification reaction, add 800-1200ppm of raw material mass and 0.5-1.5% of catalyst to carry out the water discharge reaction. When no water is discharged, the reaction is completed, and the esterification reaction product is obtained, which is confirmed by the central control test, wherein: the temperature of the esterification reaction during the reaction is controlled at 80-90°C, and the vacuum degree is 0.06-0.08 MPa; the inhibitor is phenothiazine, and the catalyst is p-toluenesulfonic acid; and
(2) Neutralization reaction
The above esterification reaction product was placed in the neutralizer, and the catalyst p-toluenesulfonic acid was neutralized with a sodium hydroxide base with a mass concentration of 7-8%, and the amount of base was adjusted so that the neutralization was made to pH 7. After precipitation, the aqueous phase was separated, and the neutralized semi-finished product was obtained;
(3) Distillation process
The above semi-finished product was put into the refining kettle for distillation and purification, and the butyl acrylate with a purity of 99.5% was obtained. The residue after distillation is mainly the by-product of esterification reaction, butyl acrylate dimer. The refined residue was put into a cracking kettle for cracking, and 800-1200 ppm of the remaining mass of the inhibitor and 2-4% of the catalyst were added. The reaction temperature was controlled at 80 ~ 210°C and atmospheric pressure distillation was used. After the cracking was completed, the bottom material in the kettle was discharged and cured at room temperature to obtain a polymer with high combustion value. The inhibitor is copper salt and the catalyst is p-toluenesulfonic acid.

2. Acrylic esterization method
The butyl acrylate reaction system consists of two reactors and a dehydration tower. Acrylic acid and butanol are first esterified in two reactors connected in series.PTSA (p-toluenesulfonic acid) is used as catalyst. The water, butanol and butyl ester produced by the reaction evaporate rapidly from the reactors and rise to the bottom of the dehydration tower. The reaction-produced liquid enters a recovery system; the recovery system consists of an extraction tower, a scrubbing tower and an alcohol recovery tower. In this system, the PTSA in the reaction generation liquid is first extracted and recycled with water, and then the residual PTSA and unreacted acrylic acid are neutralized with alkali solution; the wastewater generated from each device is recovered together with the bottom liquid of the washing tower to recover butanol and butyl ester in the alcohol recycling tower, and then the production liquid enters the refining system; the refining system consists of the de-alcoholization tower and the refining tower. The recovery system handles the reaction production liquid, i.e. crude butyl ester, which also contains impurities such as butanol, water, and heavy components. These impurities will be removed in this system to obtain butyl acrylate with a purity greater than 99.0%.

3. Aldehyde condensation
• The raw materials are n-butyl acetate and formaldehyde. After heating and gasification, it enters the gas-solid-fixed bed reactor unit. The product of the reaction goes directly to the distillation column for separation. The distillate undergoes concentration and phase separation. After phase separation, part of the oil phase returns to the bottom of the fixed bed to participate in the reaction again, and the other part of the oil phase flows back to the top of the distillation column. The lower
aqueous phase is discharged for treatment, and the crude product with 92-95% content is obtained through the bottom of the distillation column.
• The content of n-butyl acetate is 97-99.5%; formaldehyde is high concentration of formaldehyde, and the molar ratio of formaldehyde to n-butyl acetate is 2:1-5:1.
• The bed temperature of the gas-solid fixed-bed reactor unit was controlled at 360 ~ 420°C, and the content of butyl acrylate in the discharge was 60 ~ 70%.
• The temperature at the bottom of the distillation column was 140-150°C, the temperature inside the column was 100-105°C, and the temperature at the top of the column was controlled at 90-95°C. 20%-50% of the oil phase extracted from the top of the column was returned to the gas-solid-fixed-bed reactor unit, and the rest was used for distillation reflux.

Kaitai Petrochemical was founded in July 2004. With the strong support of all sectors of society, it established a subsidiary in Gaoqing County in 2011 and officially put into production in October 2013. Since 2018, Kaitai has newly put into operation the 180000 tons high-end white oil project of its subsidiary. Kaitai Petrochemical has developed into a diversified chemical group company.
Shandong kaitai is located in beautiful Qi ancient capital- Zibo, which enjoys superior geographic position and convenient traffic- north to Huanghe River, east to Qingdao port, and south to the Jinan airport, Shandong Kaitai never ceases its effort to serve customers, and sold acrylic acid esters to most parts of China and overseas. Kaitai is a comprehensive enterprise integrating acrylic acid, acrylic ester and white oil production.
Shandong Kaitai Petrochemical adheres to the enterprise tenet of "pursuing high-quality development of the enterprise, rewarding shareholders, "Constantly improve the happiness index of employees and take the road of common prosperity", implements sunshine management, develops with customers, grows with employees. Fulfill social responsibility and build a respected enterprise; Fulfill economic responsibilities, build an enterprise with good benefits and prospects, make employees rich together, have higher income, better welfare, more status and dignity, create a happy place, live better and realize the dream of Kaitai.
Shadong Kaitai has more than 1000 employees, including 200 with medium and senior professional titles. Shandong Kaitai was qualified to be national "three systems" certified enterprise; Shandong acrylate Engineering Technology Research Center; High tech enterprises in Shandong Province; Shandong honest enterprise; "Kaitai" acrylic acid is a famous brand product in Shandong Province. In 2019, the comprehensive strength of Kaitai ranked 42nd among the top 100 enterprises in Zibo.