Preparation of acetic acid

摘要

A method for reducing aldehydes in an acetic acid production process is disclosed. The acetic acid is produced by reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst. The method comprises reacting an aldehyde-containing stream with an alcohol to form an acetal-containing stream. An acetal-enriched stream is separated from the acetal-containing stream and then hydrolyzed to form a hydrolysis mixture comprising the alcohol and the aldehydes. The alcohol is isolated from the hydrolysis mixture and used to react with the aldehyde-containing stream to form the acetal-containing stream. The invention reduces aldehydes in the acetic acid produced.