Abstract:
On the separation of acrylic acid from reaction gases from the oxidation of propylene or acrolein a countercurrent absorption is carried out with at least 8 parts by weight of carboxylic ester per part by weight of acrylic acid contained in the reaction gas, the dissolved acetic acid and the dissolved water are substantially completely expelled from the resulting absorption solution at elevated temperature by means of inert gases, the loaded inert gases are passed to the countercurrent absorption for the recovery of the acrylic acid contained therein, and the acrylic acid is distilled off under reduced pressure from the carboxylic ester solution which is free from acetic acid and water.