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.
