Patent ID: 6518454
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a solution of an ester of a carboxylic acid which comprises the steps of:I. feeding (i) a carboxylic acid in the form of a solution comprising the carboxylic acid and water; (ii) an alcohol; and (iii) a desorbent which is miscible with water, to a simulated moving bed reactor containing a solid that is water and alcohol insoluble, catalyzes the esterification of the carboxylic acid, and has different affinities for the carboxylic acid and water; wherein the carboxylic acid and alcohol react to form a carboxylic acid ester; and II. removing from the simulated moving bed reactor (i) a first liquid stream comprising a solution of the carboxylic acid ester in the desorbent and (ii) a second liquid stream comprising water from the carboxylic acid feed from Step I and water formed during esterification of the carboxylic acid.