Acetic Acid from Methanol And Co

Abstract

Methanol and carbon monoxide are reacted in a hastelloy reactor operating at l700C and 30-40 bar. The reactor contents are a liquid phase mixture of ethers, esters, acids and water together with an iodide promoted rhodium liquid catalyst. The crude products are led off at the top of the tower and separated under a low pressure of 5-10 bar. Separation of the acetic acid takes place by removing the lights, dehydrating by azeotropic distillation, and a final finishing column.