Patent ID: 9193657
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A method for enhancing catalyst stability in an acetic acid production process comprising the steps of: introducing a carbon monoxide stream into a reactor; reacting the carbon monoxide with at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof in a reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a reaction product comprising acetic acid and unreacted carbon monoxide; venting a gaseous reactor vent stream from the reactor; separating the reaction product into a crude acetic acid stream and a catalyst-containing solution; distilling the crude acetic acid stream to yield a product stream comprising acetic acid and an overhead vapor stream comprising at least a portion of the unreacted carbon monoxide; condensing the overhead vapor stream and directing the condensed overhead vapor stream to a decanter; withdrawing a gaseous stream comprising carbon monoxide from the decanter; and introducing at least a portion of the withdrawn carbon monoxide downstream of the reactor and upstream of the decanter to create a carbon monoxide recycle loop, wherein the introducing of at least a portion of the withdrawn carbon monoxide downstream of the reactor provides for an increased carbon monoxide flow rate in the reactor and an increased reactor vent rate, based on a process that does not create the carbon monoxide recycle loop.