A process for reduction of water material during manufacture of acrylonitrile

A process for the substantial reduction or complete elimination of ammonium sulfate generated during the production of acrylonitrile by the direct ammoxidation of propylene/propane, ammonia and an oxygen containing gas (e.g. air) over a fluid bed catalyst wherein the improvement comprises introducing methanol into said reactor in the upper portion of the reactor at a location where the methanol reacts with at least a portion if not substantially all of the excess ammonia without affecting the acrylonitrile yield. Preferably, methanol is introduced into the reactor at below its coking temperature. In particular, when an oxygen lean fluid bed catalyst is utilized, an additional oxygen containing gas is introduced into the reaction at a distance between about 8 to 14 inches from the methanol feed location.