Process and apparatus for manufacturing aromatic carboxylic acids

摘要

An improved process for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids by the exothermic liquid-phase oxidation reaction of an aromatic feedstock compound wherein water is efficiently recovered from the exothermic liquid-phase oxidation reaction and treated to reduce corrosive agents residing therein.

主权项

1. A continuous process for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids which process comprises:
(a) oxidizing an aromatic feedstock compound to an aromatic carboxylic acid in a liquid-phase reaction mixture comprising water, a low-molecular weight monocarboxylic acid solvent, a heavy metal oxidation catalyst and a source of molecular oxygen, under reaction conditions which produce a gaseous high pressure overhead stream comprising water, gaseous by-products, and gaseous low-molecular weight monocarboxylic acid solvent; (b) separating a solvent monocarboxylic acid-rich first liquid phase and a water-rich second liquid phase comprising dissolved oxygen and methyl bromide; and (c) reducing the amount of at least one of dissolved oxygen and methyl bromide present in the second liquid phase to form a treated second liquid phase.