Abstract: Disclosed is a method to manufacture high purity acetic acid. Although described in relation to that produced by a low water carbonylation process the present invention is applicable to other mechanisms for production of acetic acid which results in formation of permanganate reducing compounds such as acetaldehyde, propionic acid, and alkyl iodide impurities in intermediate process streams. It has been found that permanganate reducing compounds and alkyl iodides may be conveniently removed from a light phase of an intermediate stream in the reaction process by employing a multiple distillation process coupled with an optional extraction of acetaldehyde. The distillation process involves first distilling a light phase to concentrate the permanganate reducing compounds, and in particular the acetaldehyde, and then separating the permanganate reducing compounds and alkyl iodides in a second distillation tower.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 7, 2000
Assignee:
Celanese International Corp
Inventors:
Madan Singh, George A. Blay, Michael L. Karnilaw, Melchior A. Meilchen, Wayne David Picard, Valerie Santillan, Mark O. Scates, Robin Suzanne Tanke, G. Paull Torrence, Richard F. Vogel, Jr., R. Jay Warner