Celanese International Corporation

Velocys Corp.

Michael E Huckman

G Paull Torrence

Victor J Johnston

Anna Lee Tonkovich

Terry Joseph Mazanec

Sean P Fitzgerald

Thomas D Yuschak

Bin Yang

Francis P Daly

Kai Jarosch

Leslie E Wade

Hung-Cheun Cheung

James A Foster

Tony Hammock

Daniel Lindley

Jerry A Broussard

Madan Singh

Michael L Karnilaw

Peggy McKarns Macatangay

Stephen Andrew Houliston

Hosea Cheung

The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.

Process and apparatus for improved methods for making vinyl acetate monomer (VAM)

The invention relates to a process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylation of methanol, and reactive derivatives thereof, in a reaction mixture using a rhodium-based catalyst in low water conditions. The process is used to achieve reaction rates of at least 15 g mol/l/hr. The high rate reactions proceed at water concentrations of less than 2.0 wt. %. Under certain conditions, the water concentration in the reaction mixture of the process is maintained at a desired concentration by at least one process step including adding a compound such as methyl acetate, dimethyl ether, acetic anhydride, or mixtures of these compounds to the reaction system. The process step of adding the components to the reaction mixture may be combined with other process steps for controlling water concentrations in reaction mixtures for the carbonylation of methanol.

Low water methanol carbonylation process for high acetic acid production and for water balance control

A process for monitoring and controlling reactor conditions during the production of acetic acid by the catalyzed carbonylation of methanol is provided. The process of the present invention comprises measuring the density of the heavy phase of the light ends distillation column in the purification system of the carbonylation process. The density measurement is used to adjust the feed of methanol and/or to regulate the temperature in the reaction zone to optimize reactor conditions. The density measurement may also be used to adjust other parameters in the reactor system. The invention is also directed to the system for manufacturing acetic acid based on the process control procedure described.

Process control in production of acetic acid via use of heavy phase density measurement

A method and system is provided for producing acetic acid by the catalytic carbonylation of methanol with carbon monoxide to obtain a reaction product stream comprising acetic acid and a minor amount of acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde content in the reaction product stream is reduced by oxidation to convert at least a portion of the acetaldehyde in the stream to acetic acid or further to CO and H O. The oxidized stream may then be directed to the purification section, the reaction section, or both whereby the deleterious effects of acetaldehyde are reduced. Advantage of the present invention over conventional processes is the reduced need to dispose of acetaldehyde as waste and improved overall system efficiency in the production of acetic acid.

Oxidation treatment of a recycle stream in production of acetic acid by methanol carbonylation

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Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

Michael E Huckman