Methacrylic Acid Production from Isobutane

This report presents the economics of Methacrylic Acid (MAA) production starting from isobutane. The process examined is similar to UOP Oleflex process, combined with a typical oxidation process. In this process, isobutane is first dehydrogenated to isobutylene in a moving-bed reactor. The isobutylene generated is submitted to a two-stage, gas-phase oxidation. In the first, methacrolein intermediate is produced, which is then converted to MAA product.

The report provides a comprehensive study of Methacrylic Acid production and related Methacrylic Acid production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Methacrylic Acid production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Methacrylic Acid plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Methacrylic Acid plant operating costs (Opex).

The Methacrylic Acid production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Methacrylic Acid plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Methacrylic Acid plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.