Patent ID: 8742168
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing acetic acid which comprises: (a) carbonylating methanol in the presence of a catalyst in a reaction zone to obtain a reaction zone to obtain a reaction mixture (A) comprising the acetic acid, hydrogen iodide, methyl iodide, water and the catalyst; (b) withdrawing at least a part of the reaction mixture (A) from the reaction zone; (c) introducing the withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) into a flash zone; (d) contacting the withdrawn part of the reaction mixture (A) in the flash zone with an alkylimidazolium iodide to form a secondary mixture (B); (e) separating the secondary mixture (B) in the flash zone to obtain a vapor stream (B (f) recycling the liquid stream (B wherein the reaction mixture (A) is brought into contact with the alkylimidazolium iodide in the flash zone