Eductor-based reactor and high flow pump around loops for production of acetic acid

摘要

Eductor mixers are used to mix the reaction medium in a carbonylation reactor. A portion of the reaction solution withdrawn from the reactor and directed through a pump around loop. The pump around loop is fed back to the reactor through the eductor mixers. In addition, a pump around loop may pass through one or more steam generators and/or heat exchangers.

主权项

1. A process for producing acetic acid, comprising the steps of:
reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a eductor-based reactor containing a liquid reaction medium to produce a reaction solution comprising acetic acid, wherein the at least one reactant is selected from the group consisting of methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof, and wherein the liquid reaction medium comprises acetic acid, methyl acetate, methyl iodide, and a catalyst, wherein the eductor-based reactor comprises one or more eductor mixers; withdrawing the reaction solution from the eductor-based reactor; separating a portion of the reaction solution to form a pump around stream; and feeding a portion of the pump around stream to at least one of the one or more eductor mixers to provide mixing of the reaction medium in the eductor-based reactor.