| 摘要 |
<p>An improved method for continuously producing an aromatic carboxylic acid from an aromatic alkyl is disclosed. The reaction medium, contained within a pressurized reactor, includes an aqueous monocarboxylic acid solvent, the aromatic alkyl, and an oxygen-containing gas. Heat is generated in the reactor during the course of the oxidation reaction, and is removed from the reactor by vaporization of a portion of the reaction medium. The vaporized reaction medium that exits the pressurized reactor as a vapor is partitioned in a condenser system, which defines a reflux loop, into an aqueous partial condensate having a relatively lesser water-to-solvent weight ratio and a vapor phase having a relatively greater water-to-solvent weight ratio. At least a portion of the partial condensate is returned directly to the reactor as an aqueous direct reflux stream, while the vapor phase is withdrawn from the reflux loop as a vapor stream. The withdrawn vapor stream is then subjected to further heat exchange, as its vapor pressure is reduced to less than the oxidation reactor pressure, thereby producing an aqueous aliphatic acid stream having a greater water concentration and a greater water-to-solvent weight ratio than the direct reflux stream. Next, a predetermined portion of the aqueous aliphatic acid stream is combined, as an indirect recycle stream, with an aromatic alkyl feed mixture stream upstream of the oxidation reactor.</p> |
