摘要 |
Process for continuous production of substantially anhydrous solutions of perpropionic acid in benzene. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide is first reacted with propionic acid in the presence of acid catalyst to form perpropionic acid and water (1). The perpropionic acid is extracted with benzene (5), to provide a benzene phase containing the perpropionic acid (11) and an aqueous raffinate (7). The benzene phase is subjected to an extraction with water (12) involving at least 3 stages, to remove hydrogen peroxide, and the resulting benzene extract (15) is subjected to azeotropic distillation (26) to provide the anhydrous solution (17). The aqueous raffinate, which contains hydrogen peroxide, is distilled to remove water (8) and the resulting concentrate is recycled (2) for use in the reaction (1). |