Abstract A process for the preparation of acetic acid by catalytic conversion of a synthesis gas being rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, comprising steps of: (i) introducing a stream of the synthesis gas into a first reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and reacting the synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst being active in formation of methanol and dehydration of methanol, so as to obtain a gaseous process phase containing methanol, dimethyl ether, and water; (ii) cooling the gaseous process phase of step (i) and obtaining a liquid phase with the methanol, dimethyl ether and water and a gaseous phase comprising carbon dioxide and residual amounts of dimethyl ether; (iii) introducing the liquid phase formed in step (ii) into a second reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and adding a predetermined amount of carbon monoxide; and (iv) carbonylating methanol and dimethyl ether in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide by contact with a catalyst being active in the carbonylation of alcohols and ethers with carbon monoxide; and (v) recovering from effluent of step (iv) a product stream mainly consisting of the acetic acid product.
A process for the preparation of acetic acid by catalytic conversion of a synthesis gas being rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, comprising steps of: (i) introducing a stream of the synthesis gas into a first reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and reacting the synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst being active in formation of methanol and dehydration of methanol, so as to obtain a gaseous process phase containing methanol, dimethyl ether, and water; (ii) cooling the gaseous process phase of step (i) and obtaining a liquid phase with the methanol, dimethyl ether and water and a gaseous phase comprising carbon dioxide and residual amounts of dimethyl ether; (iii) introducing the liquid phase formed in step (ii) into a second reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and adding a predetermined amount of carbon monoxide; and (iv) carbonylating methanol and dimethyl ether in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide by contact with a catalyst being active in the carbonylation of alcohols and ethers with carbon monoxide; and (v) recovering from effluent of step (iv) a product stream mainly consisting of the acetic acid product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A process for the preparation of acetic acid by catalytic conversion of a synthesis gas being rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, comprising steps of: (i) introducing a stream of the synthesis gas into a first reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and reacting the synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst being active in formation of methanol and dehydration of methanol, so as to obtain a gaseous process phase containing methanol, dimethyl ether, and water; (ii) cooling the gaseous process phase of step (i) and obtaining a liquid phase with the methanol, dimethyl ether and water and a gaseous phase comprising carbon dioxide and residual amounts of dimethyl ether; (iii) introducing the liquid phase formed in step (ii) into a second reaction step at a predetermined pressure and temperature and adding a predetermined amount of carbon monoxide; and (iv) carbonylating methanol and dimethyl ether in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide by contact with a catalyst being active in the carbonylation of alcohols and ethers with carbon monoxide; and (v) recovering from effluent of step (iv) a product stream mainly consisting of the acetic acid product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The process of claim 1, comprising the further steps of: prior to introducing the synthesis gas into the first reaction step dividing the gas into a first and second portion; passing the first portion of the gas to step (i) of the process; treating the second portion of the gas for separation of carbon monoxide contained therein; and passing carbon monoxide separated from the second portion of the synthesis gas to step (iv) of the process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the treatment for carbon monoxide recovery comprises membrane separation of the carbon monoxide from the synthesis gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the treatment for carbon monoxide recovery comprises cryogenic separation of the carbon monoxide from the synthesis gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the volume ratio of the first and second portion of the divided synthesis gas stream is between 0.5:1 and 2:1.