Design of a Methyl Methacrylate production plant

Abstract

Methyl methacrylate is a monomer which is majority used to produce polymethyl methacrylate which has a wide range of applications due to his transparency, weather-resistance, and stability. Moreover, it is used to make methacrylate resins for coatings and inks. Due to its importance, a great number of processes to obtain it has been developed, which are reliant on the different raw materials employed due to the expected location of the plant. In this work it has been selected a process to produce methyl methacrylate from methacrolein as it has the advantage that is an intermediate that can be obtained from two of the three raw materials commonly used. Afterwards, it has been searched for improvements over it in patents to avoid inconveniences caused by the secondary by-products; and to increase the productivity. Finally, it is carried out the reactor selection and design, as well as the other equipment needed for its properly operation. The plant design has been done without limitations when it comes to raw materials, services or energy needed and to achieve a production of 40.000 tones / year; the product would require a final purification so that it can be commercialised that is not included in the scope of this project