Process for production of carboxylic acid ester and resin-separating vessel used therein

摘要

A process for producing a carboxylic acid ester by reacting a carboxylic acid with an alcohol in a suspension of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin which is a catalyst, which process comprises introducing a reaction mixture slurry comprising the ion exchange resin, from a reactor into a resin-separating vessel in which the reaction mixture slurry is separated into a clear solution and a slurry-like high-concentration mixture, and discharging the clear solution from the upper section of the resin-separating vessel and the slurry-like high-concentration mixture from near the bottom of the resin-separating vessel to circulate it into the reactor. Preferably, the resin -separating vessel is operated under such conditions that the ascending speed of the clear solution is 0.003 m/sec or less. A suitable separating vessel is disclosed.