Patent ID: 7402694
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process to produce a benzoic acid rich stream, said process comprising (a) subjecting an oxidizer purge stream to evaporation in a main evaporator zone to produce a vapor stream and a super concentrated purge slurry; (b) filtering said super concentrated purge slurry in a solid-liquid separation zone to form a filter cake and a mother liquor wherein said solid-liquid separation zone comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of pressure belt filters, filter presses, centrifuges, pressure leaf filters, and cross-flow filters; (c) washing said filter cake with a wash feed in said solid-liquid separation zone to form a washed cake and a wash filtrate; (d) subjecting said mother liquor to evaporation in an evaporator zone to form a solvent rich vapor; and (e) subjecting said solvent rich vapor to distillation in a separation zone to form a solvent rich stream and said benzoic acid rich stream.