摘要 |
ENERGY IS RECOVERED DURING THE PRODUCTION OF AROMATIC CARBOXYLIC ACIDS BY LIQUID PHASE OXIDATION OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS BY PERFORMING A HIGH EFFICIENCY SEPARATION ON THE REACTOR OVERHEAD VAPOR (111) TO FORM A HIGH PRESSURE GASEOUS OVERHEAD STREAM (123) COMPRISING WATER AND ORGANIC IMPURITIES; RECOVERING HEAT ENERGY FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE GASEOUS OVERHEAD STREAM (123) BY EXCHANGING HEAT WITH A SUITABLE HEAT SINK MATERIAL SUCH THAT A CONDENSATE COMPRISING FROM ABOUT 20 WT% TO ABOUT 60 WT% OF THE WATER PRESENT IN THE HIGH PRESSURE GASEOUS OVERHEAD STREAM (123) IS FORMED AND A HIGH PRESSURE OFF-GAS (127) IS FORMED; AND RECOVERING ENERGY IN THE FORM OF WORK FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE OFF-GAS (127). PREFERABLY SUCH WORK IS RECOVERED USING ISENTROPIC MEANS FOR ENERGY RECOVERY, FOR EXAMPLE AN EXPANDER (14). APPARATUS FOR SUCH PROCESS IS ALSO PROVIDED. |