The document summarizes the two-step process for producing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) from isobutylene. The first step involves oxidizing isobutylene to methacrylic acid (MAA) through two reactions. The second step is the esterification of MAA with methanol to produce methyl methacrylate (MMA). The process involves four main sections - MAL synthesis, MMA synthesis, separation of MAL and methanol, and purification of MMA. Key reaction conditions and equipment used at each stage are also outlined.

1. Production of
Poly(Methyl
methacrylate)

2. Process Route: Production of MMA
through direct oxidation of iso-butylene
Production of MAA from oxidation of isobutylene comprises of
two main steps:
Oxidation step
𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝟐 + 𝑶𝟐 → 𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑯𝑶 + 𝑯𝟐𝑶
𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑯𝑶 +
𝟏
𝟐
𝑶𝟐 → 𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝟐𝑯
Esterification of MAA step
𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝟐𝑯 + 𝑪𝑯𝟑𝑶𝑯 → 𝑪𝑯𝟐 = 𝑪 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶𝑪𝑯𝟑 + 𝑯𝟐𝑶
(MMA)

3. Abbreviations
• MMA: Methyl methacrylate
• MAL: Methacrolein
• MeOH: Methanol
• MAA: Methacrylic acid

4. Process Flow Diagram

5. MAL Synthesis Section

6. MMA Synthesis Section

7. MAL and MeOH Separation Section

8. MMA Purification Section

9. Conditions
Equipment Name Conditions
MAL Reactor 380 oC
1 bar
Conversion 97.3%
MAL AbsorptionTower Solvent: Methanol
34.2 oC
0.2 MPa
Absorption rate: 99.3%
Low PressureTower 1. bar
60-78 oC
High PressureTower 1. bar
100-142 oC
MMA Reactor 50 oC
1 bar
Conversion 98.8%

10. References
• Liang, T., Guo, X., Giwa, A. S., Shi, J., Li, Y., Wei, Y.,
... & Du, J. (2019). Design and optimization of a
process for the production of methyl methacrylate via
direct methylation. Processes, 7(6), 377.

11. ThankYou