Patent ID: 7576236
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An integrated process for the production of acetic acid and vinyl acetate comprising the steps of: (a) producing in a first reaction zone a first product stream comprising acetic acid wherein the acetic acid is produced using an exothermic carbonylation reaction, and wherein at least a portion of the heat from the production of acetic acid is removed from the first reaction zone and at least a portion of the heat removed from the production of acetic acid is transferred in a heat transfer system, wherein the heat transfer system comprises a steam condensate loop in which the heat from the production of the acetic acid is removed from the first reaction zone through heat exchange between a hot reactor solution stream and a steam condensate stream; (b) contacting in a second reaction zone an acetic acid reaction stream comprised of at least a portion of the acetic acid from the first product stream with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second product stream comprising vinyl acetate monomer; (c) directing at least a portion of the second product stream to a purification section to purify the vinyl acetate in the second product stream; and (d) wherein at least a portion of the heat transferred to the steam condensate loop is provided to the second reaction zone of step (b) or is provided to the purification zone of step (c).