Reaction process utilizing critical water

Abstract

In order to perform organic synthesis process through action with supercritical water and acid stably while suppressing a trouble caused by a by-product, a method and an apparatus are provided, including the following steps. Water is supplied to high-pressure pumps () and () from water headers () and (), and a pressure-reducing valve () is regulated to increase the pressure to 35 MPa. Temperatures of preheaters () and () and a heater () are increased until the reaction solution is at a temperature of 400° C. Acid (sulfuric acid) and an organic compound raw material (glycerin) are supplied from an acid header () and a raw-material header (') for action with the supercritical water to obtain a reaction solution. The obtained reaction solution is cooled to 100 to 200° C. by first cooling () and a solid component included in the reaction solution is separated for removal from the reaction solution by a filter (), and then the reaction solution is cooled to a temperature of about 100° C. or lower by second cooling () and pressure thereof is reduced (). Further, the reaction solution is cooled by third cooling () and then a synthesized product (acrolein) is captured.