Abstract: A process for preparing crude dimethyl terephthalate, comprises oxidizing a mixture comprising para-xylene and methyl para-toluate, esterifying the oxidized mixture with methanol, separating the resulting crude ester into fractions. By separating the crude ester with a distillation column containing structured packing and using a lower bottom temperature, product yield is increased, and the process is made more economical.

Abstract: A process for purifying a crude ester containing dimethyl terephthalate, includes flash distilling a mixture including para-xylene and methyl para-toluate, and separating the crude ester into fractions. By separating the crude ester with a distillation column containing structured packing and using a lower bottom temperature, product yield is increased, and the process is made more economical.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of an off-gas which originates from the oxidation of xylene with air in the Witten process for the preparation of dimethyl terephthalate by subjecting the off-gas to a partial condensation step to remove constituents such as dimethyl terephthalate and xylene; then contacting the off-gas with a solvent such as para-toluic acid or a mixture of para-toluic acid and methyl benzoate so as to remove contaminants such as para-xylene out of the off-gas; then contacting the off-gas with a solvent such as methyl benzoate to remove contaminants such as methyl para-toluate out of the off-gas; then contacting the off-gas with water so as to remove contaminants such as methanol out of the off-gas, and then combusting the off-gas.

Abstract: A process is provided for the oxidation of p-xylene and methyl p-tolulate with oxygen-containing gases in the Witten-Hercules process for preparing dimetyl terephthalate in at least two sequentially arranged stages and in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the process involves oxidizing p-xylene and methyl p-toluate with oxygen containing gases in at least two sequential stages in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the at least two sequential stages include at least one p-xylene rich stage and at least one methyl p-toluate rich stage, wherein at least one of the following steps (a) and (b) occurs:(a) in the at least one p-xylene rich stage at least a portion of p-xylene present is oxidized in the presence of 5 to 30% by mass of methyl p-toluate, based on a total amount of oxidation mixture in the at least one p-xylene rich stage; or(b) in the methyl p-toluate rich stage at least one of methyl p-toluate or p-toluic acid is oxidized in the presence of 2 to 30% by mass of p-xylene, based on a total amount of m

Abstract: A process for preparing crude dimethyl terephthalate, comprises oxidizing a mixture comprising para-xylene and methyl para-toluate, esterifying the oxidized mixture with methanol, separating the resulting crude ester into fractions. By separating the crude ester with a distillation column containing structured packing and using a lower bottom temperature, product yield is increased, and the process is made more economical.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of terephthalic acid (TA) from pure dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and/or DMT intermediate product by hydrolysis in a countercurrent reactor at a conversion of greater than 99% and crystallization to give the solid product, characterized in that the sum of the stripping steam (S) and reaction water (W) satisfies the relationshipL.ltoreq.S+W.ltoreq.2L,wherein (L) represents the amount of water necessary to keep the terephthalic acid (TA) produced largely in solution during the reaction and in the bottom of the reactor, and the terephthalic acid produced is crystallized in a crystallization which is free from washing stages.

Abstract: In the purification of an off-gas stream originating from a process of oxidizing a liquid mixture of para-xylene with methyl para-toluate with an oxygen-containing gas under pressure, the off-gas being contaminated with at least one of an aliphatic and an aromatic impurity, which comprises expanding the off-gas stream in an expansion turbine for generating mechanical or electrical energy so as to obtain an at least partial recovery of the energy contained in the off-gas, the improvement comprising subjecting the off-gas to at least one absorption step under pressure to remove at least one component from the off-gas and subjecting the resultant off-gas stream to combustion under a pressure of more than 3 bar prior to expanding the off-gas stream in the expansion turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a DMT intermediate product as well as its working up to fibregrade DMT and to medium pure and pure terephthalic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a DMT intermediate product as well as its working up to fibregrade DMT and to medium pure and pure terephthalic acid.

Abstract: A multistage arrangement for countercurrent separation of suspended solids, such as crystals, by means of hydro-cyclone groups connected in series and corresponding pumps and pump wells. For operating with relatively small expenditures with respect to apparatus under high pressures and at high temperatures within a certain, limited temperature range, the hydro-cyclone groups, the pump wells with pumps projecting into the pump wells, and the essential parts or regions of the lines are placed in a common pressure-proof and heat-insulated chamber. In addition, for removing coarser crystallizations and solid particles, an upstream classifier also accommodated in the chamber may be provided. The multistage arrangement can be used in a process for the production of terephthalic acid from dimethyl-terephthalate as the intermediate product, and in a process for the hydrogenation of coal.

Abstract: A multistage arrangement for countercurrent separation of suspended solids, such as crystals, by means of hydro-cyclone groups connected in series and corresponding pumps and pump wells. For operating with relatively small expenditures with respect to apparatus under high pressures and at high temperatures within a certain, limited temperature range, the hydro-cyclone groups, the pump wells with pumps projecting into the pump wells, and the essential parts or regions of the lines are placed in a common pressure-proof and heat-insulated chamber. In addition, for removing coarser crystallizations and solid particles, an upstream classifier also accommodated in the chamber may be provided. The multistage arrangement can be used in a process for the production of terephthalic acid from dimethyl-terephthalate as the intermediate product, and in a process for the hydrogenation of coal.

Abstract: A process for the production of terephthalic acid from p-xylene and methanol by way of the dimethyl terephthalate obtained by oxidation, in the liquid phase with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of dissolved heavy metal compounds as the catalyst, of a mixture of p-xylene and a fraction containing predominantly methyl p-toluate, which fraction is recycled into the oxidation, to obtain an oxidation product containing primarily p-toluic acid and monomethyl terephthalate at a temperature of 140.degree.-170.degree. C. and under a pressure of 4-8 bar; by esterification of the oxidation product in a reactor with liquid and subsequently vaporized methanol brought to an elevated pressure, at a temperature of 220.degree.-280.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of dimethyl terephthalate from p-xylene and methanol by oxidation in a reactor, in the liquid phase with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of dissolved heavy metal compounds as a catalyst, of a mixture of p-xylene and a fraction containing predominantly methyl p-toluate, which fraction is recycled into the oxidation, to obtain an oxidation product containing primarily p-toluic acid and monomethyl terephthalate, at a temperature of 140.degree.-170.degree. C. and under a pressure of 4-8 bar; by esterification of the oxidation product with liquid and subsequently vaporized methanol brought to an elevated pressure, at a temperature of 220.degree.-280.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a crude dimethyl terephthalate suitable for hydrolyzing into a fiber grade terephthalic acid involves separating a crude ester obtained from the production of dimethyl terephthalate by the Witten process by vacuum distillation at elevated pressure in a three-column series arranged distillation system. In the first distillation column of the system the crude is separated into a methyl p-toluate-rich fraction as head product; in a second column of the series, into a fraction rich in methyl ester of terephthalaldehydic acid as head product; and in a third distillation column, a crude dimethyl terephthalate fraction. The crude dimethyl terephthalate fraction has a methyl ester of terephthalaldehydic acid content of 0.01-0.1% by weight as a head product.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of fiber-grade terephthalic acid from intermediate stage crude dimethyl terephthalate, the crude dimethyl terephthalate, which has a limited content of intermediate oxidation products including a content of terephthalaldehydic acid methyl ester of up to 0.1% by weight based on the weight of the crude dimethyl terephthalate, is hydrolyzed with water at a weight ratio of the crude dimethyl terephthalate to water of between 3:1 and 0.1:1 and at a temperature between 140.degree. C. and 350.degree. C. and under a pressure required to maintain a liquid phase (e.g., from 6 to 200 bars) to produce a reaction mixture containing crystalline fiber-grade terephtalic acid and thereafter the terephthalic acid is recovered from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor for the oxidation of alkyl aromatics, e.g. a mixture of p-xylene and methyl p-toluate in a liquid phase reaction mixture with oxygen-containing gases, e.g. air, under elevated pressure and at an elevated temperature in the presence of an oxidation catalyst is in the form of an elongated closed tank with a multiplicity of neighboring reaction chambers arranged successively from one end to the other end of the tank for containing the liquid reaction mixture at predetermined levels in each chamber. The reactor is provided with an oxidizing gas feed system for introducing an oxidizing gas into each chamber, feed means for introducing at least one alkyl aromatic reactant and an oxidation catalyst into at least one of the reaction chambers, a vapor-collecting conduit means in communication with each of said chambers for removing reaction gas from each of said chambers, and a discharge means for removing the oxidized product from the reactor tank.