Acrylonitrile

Abstract The article contains sections titled: 1 Introduction 2 Physical and Chemical Properties 3 Production 4 Uses 5 Quality Specifications 6 Analysis 7 Storage and Transportation 8 Economic Aspects 9 Environmental Protection 10 Toxicology and Occupational Health References Acrylonitrile is a large volume (over 5 × 10 6 t/a) chemical intermediate used in the production of a wide range of chemical and polymer products. The largest end use for acrylonitrile is the manufacture of acrylic fiber that is used in the making of apparel and home furnishings. Other major uses are in the manufacture of acrylonitrile–styrene–butadiene (ABS) resins for engineering polymers, adiponitrile for nylon polymers, and arylamide to make homopolymers and copolymers for water treatment and crude oil recovery applications. An emerging specialty application is in the production of carbon fiber which is finding increasing application as a high strength, low weight composite material for the transportation industry. Acrylonitrile is a reactive molecule having two chemically active sites, a carbon–carbon double bond and a nitrile functional group. Acrylonitrile readily polymerizes and requires chemical stabilization for storage as a liquid. It is manufactured by the heterogeneous catalyzed propylene ammoxidation process in which propylene, ammonia, and air are fed to a reactor containing a fluidized bed of a proprietary mixed metal oxide catalyst. Plants for the production of acrylonitrile are located around the world with the major producers located in the USA, Europe, Japan, and China. The worldwide demand for acrylonitrile is growing at about annual gross domestic product (GDP) rates with future capacity expected to be concentrated in China and the Middle East. Liquid acrylonitrile is flammable, toxic and corrosive and is considered a suspected cancer hazard. Strict limits are set for any exposure to its vapors. Industrial manufacture is regulated at the national and international levels with respect to the storage, handling and transportation of liquid acrylonitrile.