Acrylic acid is an essential industrial product that plays different roles in chemical factories. It is a clear, corrosive, and flammable liquid with a pungent smell. It has the chemical formula CH2CHCO2H and the IUPAC nomenclature propionic acid and is also commonly known as the simplest form of unsaturated carboxylic acid. By the look of its structure, you will realize that a vinyl group attaches to the carbonyl group. Because of that, compounds of acrylic acid undergo the same reactions as the carboxylic acid.
Acrylic acid is an essential compound for large chemical plants, industries, and it is also useful for commercial purposes. It is miscible with alcohol, water, acetone, benzene, ether, and chloroform. Therefore, it is a versatile product since it is a chemical intermediate used to produce many industrial and commercial products. According to an acrylic acid supplier, it is no surprise that shortages have occurred before making them invest billions in improving its production.
Its production
Acrylic acid manufacturers produce it through the vapor phase oxidation of propylene. The production process involves two main reactors. The first reactor converts the propylene into acrolein and the second reactor transforms the acrolein into acrylic acid.
The production method of acrylic acid is not cheap because of the propylene, but some more affordable options may be suitable for manufacturers. The commercial manufacturing process is whereby there is the sequential oxidative hydrogenation of selective propane oxidation into acrylic by using a two catalyst bed in a reactor.
Storage and distribution
You must note that acrylic acid is sensitive to sunlight and heat and should be stored in a cool and dry place. In addition to that, the chemical store should be well ventilated and free from any risks of ignition. That is why you will see a distributor of glacial acrylic acid-GAA transport it in aluminum or stainless steel tank trucks, polyethylene drums, railroad tankers, or barges. They also supply AA (Acrylic Acid) with inhibitors to prevent hazardous polymerization, which could render it quite unstable.
Acrylic acid has a specific gravity of 1.05, and its flashpoint is 50degrees Celcius making it flammable. For transportation reasons, manufacturers and distributors have to label it as flammable, corrosive, and hazardous to the surrounding environment. That is why it falls in the category of pack group II and hazard class 8.
Its uses
As earlier mentioned, acrylic acid is a versatile industrial chemical used as an intermediate chemical in many industrial and consumer products' production processes. However, it has two primary uses.
First, manufacturers use it as a chemical intermediate in producing acrylic esters and resins, including ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate. The manufacturers then polymerize them to become ingredients in paint formulations, polishes, adhesives, woven and non-woven textiles, plastics, and coatings. The methyl acrylate compound is also useful in the production of vitamin B1. On the other hand, resins are applicable in molding powder for signs, decorative emblems, and construction units.
Secondly, acrylic acid is useful as a building block during the production process of polyacrylic acid polymers. The polymers are crosslinked polyacrylates. They are also super absorbent and can retain more than a hundred times their weight, therefore useful in manufacturing things such as diapers and sanitary towels.
Acrylic acid is also useful during the production of detergent polymers and flocculants used in wastewater treatment points.
