Renewable Acrylonitrile Production

Beckham, Gregg T; Karp, Eric M; Eaton, Todd R; Sanchez i Nogue, Violeta; Vorotnikov, Vassili; Biddy, Mary J; Tan, Eric C; Brandner, David; Manker, Lorenz; Michener, William E; Vardon, Derek R; Bratis, Adam D; Liu, Rongming; Gill, Ryan T.; Gilhespy, Michelle; Skoufa, Zinovia; Watson, Michael J.; Fruchey, O. Stanley; Cywar, Robin M.

doi:10.1126/science.aan1059

Title: Renewable Acrylonitrile Production

Journal Article · Fri Dec 08 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aan1059· OSTI ID:1417799

^[1];

^[1]; Eaton, Todd R ^[1];

^[1]; Vorotnikov, Vassili ^[1]; Biddy, Mary J ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]; Michener, William E ^[1]; Vardon, Derek R ^[1]; Bratis, Adam D ^[1]; Liu, Rongming ^[2]; Gill, Ryan T. ^[2]; Gilhespy, Michelle ^[3]; Skoufa, Zinovia ^[3]; Watson, Michael J. ^[3]; Fruchey, O. Stanley ^[4]; Cywar, Robin M. ^[5]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
University of Colorado
Johnson Matthey Technology Centre
MATRIC
Formerly NREL

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a petroleum-derived compound used in resins, polymers, acrylics, and carbon fiber. We present a process for renewable ACN production using 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), which can be produced microbially from sugars. The process achieves ACN molar yields exceeding 90% from ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP) via dehydration and nitrilation with ammonia over an inexpensive titanium dioxide solid acid catalyst. We further describe an integrated process modeled at scale that is based on this chemistry and achieves near-quantitative ACN yields (98 +/- 2%) from ethyl acrylate. This endothermic approach eliminates runaway reaction hazards and achieves higher yields than the standard propylene ammoxidation process. Avoidance of hydrogen cyanide as a by-product also improves process safety and mitigates product handling requirements.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office

DOE Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1417799

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5100-69050

Journal Information:: Science, Vol. 358, Issue 6368; ISSN 0036-8075

Publisher:: AAAS

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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09 BIOMASS FUELS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
acrylonitrile
ACN
renewable
3-hydroxypropionic acid
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lignocellulose
sugars

Title: Renewable Acrylonitrile Production

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