Abstract: A production process of acetic acid comprises a reaction step for continuously allowing at least one member selected from the group consisting of methanol, dimethyl ether, and methyl acetate to react with carbon monoxide in a catalyst system comprising a rhodium catalyst, an iodide salt, and methyl iodide in the presence of acetic acid and water in a plant compromising a reactor 1; a flasher 2; and a distillation column 3; wherein part of the vaporized stream is introduced into a heat exchanger 7. The process achieves a production of acetic acid with a high purity in a resource-saving and energy-saving equipment by efficiently removing a reaction heat even in a large-sized plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the decanter phase separation of an acetic acid production by methanol carbonylation. The method comprises measuring the methyl acetate concentration of the reactor mixture, calculating the density of the decanter heavy, organic phase according to the measured methyl acetate concentration, and adjusting the conditions in the reactor or in the decanter to ensure phase separation of the decanter.

Abstract: A carbonylation process for making acetic acid using a metallic co-catalyst composition, effective as a rhodium stabilizer and/or rate promoter, at molar ratios of metal/rhodium of about 0.5 to 40. The process includes reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium-based catalytic metal complex with about 1 to 20 weight percent methyl iodide, less than about 8 weight % water and about 0.5 to about 30 weight percent methyl acetate. The crude acetic acid is flashed and further purified. This process is stable in the absence of a lithium iodide cocatalyst, or in low concentrations of lithium iodide, with an STY greater than 10 mol/L/hr.

Abstract: A carbonylation process for making acetic acid uses a metallic co-catalyst composition effective as a rhodium stabilizer and rate promoter at molar ratios of metal/rhodium of from about 0.5 to 30. A preferred process includes: (a) reacting methanol with a carbon monoxide feedstock in a rhodium-based catalytic reaction mixture having: (i) a rhodium catalyst metal, (ii) methyl iodide maintained from about 1 to 20 weight percent, (iii) a lithium iodide co-catalyst, (iv) a metallic co-catalyst composition, (v) water maintained from 0.1 weight percent to less than 8 weight percent, (vi) methyl acetate maintained from about 0.5 to about 30 weight percent, and (vii) acetic acid; (b) flashing crude acetic acid from the reaction mixture; and (c) purifying the crude acetic acid. This process achieves stability and a STY greater than 10 mol/L/hr, with substantially less than a theoretically equivalent inorganic iodide content corresponding to the metallic co-catalyst and lithium iodide.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate by carbonylating at least one carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol, dimethyl ether and dimethyl carbonate with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite of structure type MOR. The zeolite has greater than 50% of its crystals in the size range to 3 microns.

Abstract: A methanol carbonylation system 10 includes an absorber tower 75 adapted for receiving a vent gas stream and removing methyl iodide therefrom with a scrubber solvent, the absorber tower being coupled to first and second scrubber solvent sources 16, 56 which are capable of supplying different first and second scrubber solvents. A switching system including valves 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 alternatively provides first or second scrubber solvents to the absorber tower and returns the used solvent and sorbed material to the carbonylation system to accommodate different operating modes.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid comprising the steps of reacting carbon monoxide and at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative in a first reactor under conditions effective to produce a crude acetic acid product; separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream, at least one of the at least one derivative stream comprising residual carbon monoxide; and reacting at least a portion of the residual carbon monoxide with at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative over a metal catalyst in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid. Preferably the second reactor is a homogeneous reactor and a reactor carbon monoxide partial pressure is less than 1.05 MPa.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid comprising the steps of reacting carbon monoxide and at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative in a first reactor under conditions effective to produce a crude acetic acid product; separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream, at least one of the at least one derivative stream comprising residual carbon monoxide; and reacting at least a portion of the residual carbon monoxide with at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative over a metal catalyst in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid.

Abstract: The invention is a method of removing methyl iodide from an alkane distillation bottoms stream of an acetic acid production process. The method comprises contacting the alkane distillation bottoms stream in the liquid phase with a phosphine or a phosphine-functionalized support, and recovering a treated alkane distillation bottoms stream having a reduced methyl iodide content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of heating a light ends column through directing one or more vapor side streams from a drying column to the light ends column. The present invention is also directed to a carbonylation process for producing acetic acid, wherein one or more vapor streams from a drying column provide the external energy required to drive separation in the light ends column.

Abstract: A carbonylation process for producing acetic acid including: (a) carbonylating methanol or its reactive derivatives in the presence of a Group VIII metal catalyst and methyl iodide promoter to produce a liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, water, methyl acetate and methyl iodide; (b) feeding the liquid reaction mixture at a feed temperature to a flash vessel which is maintained at a reduced pressure; (c) heating the flash vessel while concurrently flashing the reaction mixture to produce a crude product vapor stream, wherein the reaction mixture is selected and the flow rate of the reaction mixture fed to the flash vessel as well as the amount of heat supplied to the flash vessel is controlled such that the temperature of the crude product vapor stream is maintained at a temperature less than 90° F.

Abstract: Process for the in-situ regeneration of a zeolite catalyst in a carbonylation process for the production of at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid. The process is carried out by (a) contacting a carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol, dimethyl ether and dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in a reactor with a zeolite catalyst and recovering a product stream containing at least one of methyl acetate and acetic acid from the reactor, (b) ceasing contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant, (c) regenerating the catalyst with a regenerating gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 250 to 600 C, and (d) terminating the hydrogen regenerating step and resuming contact of the catalyst with the carbonylatable reactant and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process in which methanol is carbonylated in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture (A) comprising acetic acid, hydrogen iodide, methyl iodide, water and the catalyst. At least a part of the reaction mixture (A) is withdrawn from the reaction zone. The withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) is introduced into a flash zone where it is brought into contact with an alkylimidazolium iodide to form a secondary mixture (B), and where the secondary mixture (B) is separated to obtain a vapor stream (BV) which comprises the acetic acid, water and methyl iodide, and a liquid stream (BL) which comprises the catalyst, the alkylimidazolium iodide and hydrogen iodide. The vapor stream (BV) is processed to purify the acetic acid, and the liquid stream (BL) is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A methanol carbonylation system 10 includes an absorber tower 75 adapted for receiving a vent gas stream and removing methyl iodide therefrom with a scrubber solvent, the absorber tower being coupled to first and second scrubber solvent sources 16, 56 which are capable of supplying different first and second scrubber solvents. A switching system including valves 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 alternatively provides first or second scrubber solvents to the absorber tower and returns the used solvent and sorbed material to the carbonylation system to accommodate different operating modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for removing aromatics from the reactants that are fed to a carbonylation reactor. The aromatics are removed using a guard bed that comprises an adsorbent.

Abstract: A process for removing amine compounds from a process stream derived from a carbonylation process. The amine compounds may be present as iodide salts. The process stream also contains corrosion metal contaminants. The amine compounds are removed by mixing a portion of the process stream a slipstream to form an aqueous stream having a water concentration of greater than 50 wt. %. The aqueous stream is contacted with an exchange resin to remove amine compounds, as well as corrosion metal contaminants.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process in which methanol is carbonylated in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture (A) comprising acetic acid, hydrogen iodide, methyl iodide, water and the catalyst. At least a part of the reaction mixture (A) is separated in a flash zone to obtain a vapor stream (BV) which comprises acetic acid, hydrogen iodide, methyl iodide and water. The vapor stream (BV) is withdrawn from the flash zone, and the withdrawn vapor stream is then reacted with at least one alkylimidazole to obtain a composition (C) from which acetic acid is separated. By reacting the vapor stream (BV) with the alkylimidazole at least parts of the hydrogen iodide and methyl iodide contained in (BV) are bound in form of iodide salts which significantly facilitates the separation of crude acetic acid from the vapor stream (BV) and the further purification of the crude acetic acid.

Abstract: Process for the production of acetic acid by (a) introducing methanol, methyl acetate, dimethyl ether and/or methyl iodide and carbon monoxide into a first reaction zone containing a liquid reaction composition comprising a carbonylation catalyst, optionally a carbonylation catalyst promoter, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, acetic acid and water, (b) withdrawing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition together with dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide and other gases from the first reaction zone, (c) passing at least a portion of the withdrawn liquid reaction composition to a second reaction zone, wherein at least a portion of the dissolved and/or entrained carbon monoxide is consumed, (d) passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction composition from the second reaction zone into a flash separation zone to form a vapor fraction, which comprises acetic acid, methyl iodide, methyl acetate and low pressure off-gas, comprising carbon monoxide; and a liquid fraction, which comprises carbony

Abstract: A method for determining the characteristic of one or more components in a step of an acetic acid production process using Raman spectroscopy. The process includes providing a feed stream comprising multiple components to a separations unit, one of the components being acetic acid, the separations unit separating the feed stream into two or more exit streams having a different composition from one another, and measuring a characteristic of one or more of the components by Raman spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: Process for carbonylating an alcohol or reactive derivative thereof, by (a) feeding one or more feed streams to a reaction zone, at least one feed stream containing an alcohol or reactive derivative thereof, and at least one feed stream contains CO, (b) maintaining in the reaction zone a temperature and pressure sufficient to allow an exothermic carbonylation reaction to occur to produce a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, (c) removing one or more product streams containing carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride from the reaction zone, and (d) transferring heat contained in one or more product streams to a first heat-exchange stream. Heat is transferred from a second heat-exchange stream to a feed stream of step (a) before the feed stream is fed to the reaction zone, and the temperature of the second heat-exchange stream before heat transfer is lower than that of the one or more product streams.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an apparatus having a first porous rotor positioned about an axis of rotation, wherein the first porous rotor comprises a first catalyst; an outer casing, wherein the outer casing and the first porous rotor are separated by an annular space; and a motor configured for rotating the first porous rotor about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Eductor mixers are used to mix the reaction medium in a carbonylation reactor. A portion of the reaction solution withdrawn from the reactor and directed through a pump around loop. The pump around loop is fed back to the reactor through the eductor mixers. In addition, a pump around loop may pass through one or more steam generators and/or heat exchangers.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid by the liquid phase carbonylation of an alcohol and/or a reactive derivative thereof in which there is employed a catalyst comprising a complex of rhodium or iridium with a pincer ligand.

Abstract: A method for producing acetic acid at increased production rates. The method may include a heat transfer system for generating a steam product from the heat of the reaction. In addition, the method may include multiple drying columns. The steam product may be integrated with at least one of the multiple drying columns.

Abstract: Formic acid manufacturing system and method of manufacturing formic acid. The formic acid manufacturing system includes a reactor, a first separation device, a second separation device, a reactive distillation device and a third separation device. Methyl formate is produced in the reactor by processing a conbonylation reaction of external carbon monoxide and methanol. Water is added into the reactive distillation device externally, and formic acid and methanol is produced in the reactive distillation device by hydrolyzing methyl formate with water. A formic acid solution is obtained from an output of the third separation device.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of producing acetic acid includes condensing overhead vapor to provide reflux to the light ends column as well as condensing vapor from a central portion of the light ends column to increase capacity. Throughput or load on the light ends column is substantially reduced without compromising product quality.

Abstract: A method of making acetic acid includes: (a) catalytically reacting methanol or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous Group VIII metal catalyst and a methyl iodide promoter in a reactor vessel in a liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, water, methyl acetate, methyl iodide and homogeneous catalyst, the reactor vessel being operated at a reactor pressure; (b) withdrawing reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and feeding the withdrawn reaction mixture along with additional carbon monoxide to a pre-flasher/post reactor vessel operated at a pressure below the reactor vessel pressure; (c) venting light ends in the pre-flasher vessel and concurrently consuming methyl acetate in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by carbonylating methanol and/or reactive derivatives thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst which is a mordenite which has been treated with an aqueous basic solution containing at least one of aluminate ions and gallate ions and has a silica:X2O3 molar ratio (wherein X is A1 and/or Ga) of at least 12:1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an acetic acid production process. The method comprises: (i) reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst, a catalyst stabilizer, methyl iodide, water, and methyl acetate to produce a reactor mixture which comprises the catalyst, the catalyst stabilizer, methanol, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, water, and acetic acid; (ii) measuring the concentration of a component of the reactor mixture by Raman spectroscopic analysis; and (iii) adjusting the component concentration in the reactor mixture in response to the measured concentration. The method of the invention is particularly useful for measuring and controlling the concentration of carbon monoxide in the reactor liquid mixture.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether, dimethyl carbonate and/or methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a mordenite catalyst to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate in which process the mordenite catalyst is regenerated in-situ by contacting the catalyst with a regenerating gas comprising a molecular oxygen-containing gas and an inert diluent at a total pressure in the range 1 to 100 bar and wherein the partial pressure of the molecular oxygen-containing gas is such that the temperature of the catalyst is maintained within the range 225 to 325° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for producing acetic acid from carbon monoxide and, in particular, to improved processes, wherein at least one reactant is fed upstream of a reactor recycle pump and/or to a pump-around loop.

Abstract: The present invention is to a process for producing acetic acid comprising the step of reacting a carbon monoxide feed and methanol and/or a methanol derivative in a first reactor to produce a crude acetic acid product. The carbon monoxide may comprise less than 99.5 mol % carbon monoxide. The process further comprises the step of purging a carbon monoxide purge stream comprising a first amount of residual carbon monoxide and one or more impurities. Preferably, the first amount is greater than 20 mol %. The process further comprises the step of separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream comprising a second amount of residual carbon monoxide. The process further comprises the step of reacting at least a portion of the second amount of residual carbon monoxide and methanol and/or a methanol derivative in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by the carbonylation of methanol, methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a desilicated mordenite catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved processes for the manufacture of acetic acid. A pump around reactor is used to produce additional heat for the production of steam. The pump around reactor receives a portion of the reaction solution produced by the carbonylation reactor and further reacts that portion with additional carbon monoxide and/or reactants.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid comprising the steps of reacting carbon monoxide and at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative in a first reactor under conditions effective to produce a crude acetic acid product; separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream, at least one of the at least one derivative stream comprising residual carbon monoxide; and reacting at least a portion of the residual carbon monoxide with at least one of methanol and a methanol derivative over a metal catalyst in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of at least one carbonylation product selected from acetic acid and methyl acetate by carbonylating at least one carbonylatable reactant selected from methanol and reactive derivatives thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst which is a mordenite which has been treated with an aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution and has a silica:alumina molar ratio of at least 10:1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of heating a light ends column through directing one or more vapor side streams from a drying column to the light ends column. The present invention is also directed to a carbonylation process for producing acetic acid, wherein one or more vapor streams from a drying column provide the external energy required to drive separation in the light ends column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the decanter phase separation of an acetic acid production by methanol carbonylation. The method comprises measuring the methyl acetate concentration of the reactor mixture, calculating the density of the decanter heavy, organic phase according to the measured methyl acetate concentration, and adjusting the conditions in the reactor or in the decanter to ensure phase separation of the decanter.

Abstract: Process for producing acetic acid by carbonylating methanol and/or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in at least one carbonylation reaction zone containing a liquid reaction composition containing an iridium carbonylation catalyst, methyl iodide co-catalyst, a finite concentration of water, acetic acid, methyl acetate. Indium and rhenium are present as promoters.

Abstract: According to a method for producing acetic acid by carbonylation of methanol characterized in that an acid having an acid dissociation constant (pKa) smaller than the constant of acetic acid is allowed to be present in the reaction system, acetic acid can be produced by the reaction of methanol and carbon monoxide in a reaction liquid in the presence of a solid catalyst containing rhodium and alkyl iodide, to achieve an enhanced reaction rate of carbonylation of methanol in producing acetic acid in the region at a high carbonylation degree (Ca>0.8 mol/mol) for more efficient production of acetic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid characterized in that the catalyst filling length of a dehydration catalyst layer is 3 to 20% of the catalyst filling length of an oxidation catalyst layer in a method where raw material gas containing gaseous t-butanol is supplied to a fixed-bed multitubular reactor having a dehydration catalyst layer and an oxidation catalyst layer in this order, from the entrance for raw material gas toward the exit, to produce methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid by dehydration reaction and catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction, and the present invention can increase the conventional yield of approximately 80% to 81 to 82% even when a reaction bath temperature is relatively low (approximately 355° C.).

Abstract: The invention is a method of purifying acetic acid containing 15 to 100 ppb iodide compounds. The method comprises contacting the acetic acid in the liquid phase with a phosphine-functionalized support, and recovering a purified acetic acid product having 10 ppb, or less, iodide compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid is disclosed. The process comprises carbonylating methanol to form a reaction mixture and flashing the reaction mixture to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The flash tank is equipped with a distillation column. The vapor stream comprises acetic acid and other volatile components but essentially no catalyst. The liquid stream comprises the catalyst and sufficient amounts of water and acetic acid to carry and stabilize the catalyst. The liquid stream is recycled to the carbonylation and the vapor stream is subjected to further separation to produce essentially pure acetic acid.

Abstract: An improvement of the methanol carbonylation process for manufacturing acetic acid is disclosed. Specifically disclosed is a method for reducing the formation of alkyl iodides and C3-8 carboxylic acids by removing permanganate reducing compounds (“PRC's”) from the light phase of the condensed light ends overhead stream, including (a) distilling the light phase to yield a PRC enriched overhead stream; and (b) extracting the third overhead stream with water in at least two consecutive stages and separating therefrom one or more aqueous streams containing PRC?s.

Abstract: A process for reducing the aldehyde concentration in a target stream of a carbonylation process is disclosed. More specifically, a process for reducing the aldehyde concentration in an internal process stream or feed stream of a carbonylation process is disclosed. In particular, a process in which a target stream comprising a carbonylatable reactant and a first aldehyde concentration is subjected to a reaction comprising a supported catalyst that comprises at least one Group 8 to Group 11 metal at conditions sufficient to reduce the first aldehyde concentration to a second aldehyde concentration is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing acetaldehyde from a mixture of methyl acetate, methanol and acetaldehyde includes: (a) feeding the mixture of methyl acetate, methanol and acetaldehyde to a distillation column; (b) distilling the feed mixture of methyl acetate methanol and acetaldehyde at a pressure of 10 psig or more to generate an overhead vapor stream enriched in acetaldehyde as compared with the feed mixture and a residue stream depleted in acetaldehyde as compared with the feed mixture; and (c) withdrawing the residue stream depleted in acetaldehyde from the distillation column.

Abstract: Process for preparing an aliphatic carboxylic acid having (n+1) carbon atoms, where n is an integer up to 6, and/or an ester or anhydride thereof by contacting an aliphatic alcohol having n carbon atoms and/or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide under hydrous conditions in the presence of a ferrierite catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of acetic acid. The process comprises reacting a decanter heavy, organic phase of an acetic acid production process with acetic anhydride to convert acetaldehyde in the decanter heavy, organic phase to ethylidene diacetate and separating it from the decanter heavy, organic phase. Ethylidene diacetate can be hydrolyzed to recover acetic acid.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of producing acetic acid includes condensing overhead vapor to provide reflux to the light ends column as well as condensing vapor from a central portion of the light ends column to increase capacity. Throughput or load on the light ends column is substantially reduced without compromising product quality.