ACRYLONITRILE - ACN
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Acrylonitrile (propenenitrile or vinyl cyanide), CH2=CHCN, is a highly flammable colorless liquid with a boiling point of 77.3-77.4°C. It is highly polar and miscible with most organic solvents. Acrylonitrile is used as a vinyl monomer and as a chemical intermediate. Major applications include acrylic fibers, styrene copolymer resins, adiponitrile (for manufacture of hexamethylenediamine used in nylon 66 fibers and resins) and acrylamide for water treatment polymers. Commercial acrylonitrile includes small impurities of acetonitrile and acetaldehyde. The addition of 35-45 ppm of MEHQ (hydroquinone monomethyl ether) typically acts as the polymerization inhibitor for storage and transport.
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Description |
Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid (technical grades) |
Molecular formula |
C3H3N |
Molecular weight |
53.1 g/mol |
Density |
0.81 g/cm3 @ 25o C |
Boiling point |
77.3o C |
Melting point |
-82o C |
Vapor pressure |
100 torr @ 23o C |
Solubility |
Soluble in isopropanol, ethanol, ether, acetone and benzene |
Conversion factor |
1ppm=2.17 mg/m3 @ 25o C |
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TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS/FEEDSTOCK
Propylene ammoxidation is currently the only commercial technology used to make ACN. In this process, propylene, ammonia, and air are reacted in a fluid bed catalyst at about 430 degrees C and 2 atmosphere pressure. Hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile are the primary by-products. Product yields on propylene and ammonia are 73% and 70%, respectively. BP Amoco practices and licenses this technology. Known as the Sohio process, it was developed in the 1950s by Standard Oil Company (Ohio), which became part of BP in 1987. Most of the world’s production of acrylonitrile is based on this technology. Other licensors include Asahi, Nitto, and Solutia.
END USE
The major usages of ACN are in:
- Acrylic textile fibers for use in apparel, blankets, carpeting, upholstery, and industrial applications. (Accounts for over 52% of global ACN consumption)
- ABS/SAN resins production where ACN is a co-monomer. (Accounts for 29%)
- Adiponitrile which is a nylon-66 intermediate. (Accounts for 9%)
- Nitrile rubbers and acrylamide. (Accounts for 7%).
TRENDS IN ACRYLONITRILE DEMAND-SUPPLY
Acrylonitrile capacity stood at 6.3 million tons in 2008, up 254,500 tons from last year. Of this nearly half was added in North America, with Ineos Nitriles (Innovere) and Lucite setting up respective 650,000 tons a year and 140,000 tons a year of production capacities. The rest of the capacity was set up in Asian region shared between China and South Korea.
The YnFx Acrylic Chain Report 2009 captures detailed global information on acquisitions, investments etc. You may purchase the report online.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
North America and West Europe, the most prominent consumers of acrylonitrile in the early years of this decade were fast moving out of acrylonitrile consuming producers. You can get the list of top producers of acrylonitrile with capacity in the complete Acrylic Chain Report 2009 published by www.YarnsandFibers.com
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