Process for concurrent esterification and separation using a simulated moving bed

摘要

A process for the continuous esterification of at least one alcohol and at least one carboxylic acid to form at least one ester and water, and the concurrent separation of the esterification products has been developed. The process uses a solid bed which as a catalyst for esterification and as an adsorbent for at least one of the products. The process preferably operates in the simulated moving bed mode. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the simulated moving bed is a homogeneous mixture of at least one solid effective as an esterification catalyst and at least one solid effective as an ester or water adsorbent. Another specific embodiment is one where the simulated moving bed is a strongly acidic macroreticular polymeric resin effective both as an esterification catalyst and as an adsorbent for at least one esterification product.