Celanese International Corporation

Melchoir Meilchen

R Jay Warner

Nathan Kirk Powell

In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying acetic anhydride. The process includes the steps of feeding a liquid crude acetic anhydride stream directly to a distillation column and separating the liquid crude acetic anhydride stream to produce a light ends stream, a sidedraw and a residue stream. The sidedraw comprises substantially pure acetic anhydride product. The distillation column is operated at a pressure less than 101 kPa. The substantially pure acetic anhydride product comprises greater than 98 wt. % acetic anhydride, has a permanganate time of greater than 10 minutes, and has an APHA color of less than 10.

Processes for purifying acetic anhydride

In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing acetic anhydride. The process includes at least a step of carbonylating methanol and/or a methanol derivative with carbon monoxide to form acetic acid, and contacting ketene with the acetic acid to form a crude acetic anhydride product stream and a vent stream having unreacted ketene. The process further comprises a step of directing at least a portion of the vent stream to a liquid ring vacuum compressor having a ring seal fluid comprising acetic acid The unreacted ketene in the portion of the vent stream contacts the ring seal fluid to form supplemental acetic anhydride.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Melchoir Meilchen