Page 72 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_A 11/7/01 3:16 PM Page 2.13

ACETIC ACID 2.13

Methyl
alcohol Methyl acetate
Azeotropic and
Reactor Reactor finishing distillation

Acetic acid

Methyl sulfonic acid
FIGURE 3 Methyl acetate manufacture from methyl alcohol (methanol).

Carbon monoxide
recycle

Methyl Acid and anhydride
acetate recycle
Adsorption
system
Reactor Flasher Distillation and finishing

Acetic anhydride
Carbon
monoxide
Catalyst
FIGURE 4 Acetic anhydride manufacture by carbonylation of from methyl acetate.

mon organic solvent. Acetic acid is used in the manufacture of terephthalic
acid, which is a monomer for the synthesis of poly (ethylene terephthalate),
the polyester of the textile industry.