Optimum Operating Conditions of Vinyl Acetate Synthesis from Acetylene by Fluidized-Bed Reactor

Optimum operating conditions of vinyl acetate synthesis from acetylene were studied from the viewpoint of active carbon-supported zinc acetate catalyst consumption and by-product ratio of impurities to vinyl acetate by use of two fluidized bed reactors. Both had a diameter of 3.28 m and a vinyl acetate production capacity of 50 tons/day. The by-product ratio of impurities was affected by reaction conditions, but the quantities of reactants to impurities were small as yield. As for catalyst consumption, it was seemed better to raise the reaction temperature gradually with deteriorating catalyst activity in a similar operation to that of a fixed-bed reactor. But, considering operational stability, by-products, utility consumption and catalyst consumption, the operating method using a combination of reactor temperatures, which means that the new catalyst is fed to the reactor at lower temperature and the discharging catalyst from this reactor is fed to the reactor at higher temperature, is the optimum method. It is found that the optimum operating conditions are SV 100 1/h, MR 2.5, 447 K lower reactor temperature and 463 K higher reactor temperature, and the unit consumption of the new catalyst is calculated as 6.7 l/ton vinyl acetate. This value agrees with the actual results of the commercially operating process.