Abstract:
PURPOSE: Provided is an improved process for processing the effluent from the reactor, wherein the overhead stream from the quencher is condensed and a portion of the condensate is recycled back to the quencher with the remainder of the condensate being processed in a distillation column, the overhead stream can be condensed by various procedures including a column with a pump-around loop and a partial condenser, and the temperature of the condensation process is determined by the relative economics of available streams for cooling. CONSTITUTION: In a process for purifying acrylonitrile in which an ammoxidation reactor effluent containing acrylonitrile and impurities is contacted in a quench system with an aqueous quench liquid, the improvement comprises the steps of condensing liquid from an overhead stream of the quench system; and recycling the condensed liquid to the quench system prior to processing the liquid in a distillation column. In a process for purifying acrylonitrile in which an ammoxidation reactor effluent containing acrylonitrile and impurities is contacted in a quench system with an aqueous quench liquid, the improvement comprises the steps of condensing liquid from an overhead stream of the quench system in an absorber column; and recycling a portion of the condensed liquid directly to the quench system. In a process for purifying acrylonitrile in which an ammoxidation reactor effluent containing acrylonitrile and impurities is contacted in a quench system with an aqueous quench liquid, the improvement comprises the steps of condensing liquid from an overhead stream of the quench system in a partial condenser; and recycling a portion of the condensed liquid directly to the quench system.