Process for producing acetic acid
US7208624B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C51/44
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved process is disclosed for producing acetic acid, including the following steps: reacting a carbonylatable reactant such as methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in a reaction medium containing water, methyl iodide, and a catalyst to produce a reaction product that contains acetic acid; separating the reaction product to provide a volatile phase containing acetic acid, water, and methyl iodide and a less volatile phase; distilling the volatile phase to produce a purified acetic acid product and a first overhead containing water, methyl acetate, and methyl iodide; phase separating the first overhead to provide a first liquid phase containing water and a second liquid phase containing methyl iodide; and adding dimethyl ether to the process in an amount effective to enhance separation of the first overhead to form the first and second liquid phases.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.