REACTION CONTROL METHOD

摘要

1438410 Esterification BP CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL Ltd 4 Feb 1975 [6 March 1974] 10036/74 Heading C2C In the esterification of one or more C 2 -C 4 saturated alcohols with acetic acid, using a reaction kettle surmounted by a distillation column separating an ester/water azeotrope overhead, the operation is controlled by maintaining the conductivity of the reflux at a point in the column where the reflux contains 8-12% w./w. of water at 50Œ40 mhos cm.-1, by increasing the recycle of ester distillate to the top of the column when the conductivity rises above 50 mhos cm-1 and reducing the recycle when the conductivity falls below 50 mhos cm-1. Ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl or n-butyl acetate are prepared and a high boiling ester e.g. n-butyl acetate may be present. The reflux conductivity may be measured manually or by automatic monitoring and the recycle adjusted in accord. Examples describe the preparation of ethyl acetate with n-butyl or isobutyl acetate entrainment and the coproduction of ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate.