Patent ID: 7892498

Claim:
A process comprising: (a) subjecting a reaction medium to esterification in a vertically elongated esterification reactor, wherein said esterification reactor defines a single vessel having a fluid inlet and at least two separate outlets comprising a liquid outlet through which a reaction medium is discharged from said esterification reactor and a vapor outlet through which vapor esterification by-product is discharged from said esterification reactor, wherein said vapor outlet is located on the same vessel at a higher elevation than said liquid outlet, said fluid inlet located at a lower elevation than a liquid outlet; and wherein said esterification reactor provides heat to the reaction medium inside the esterification reactor; and (b) said reaction medium in said esterification reactor is either not mechanically agitated, or if mechanically agitated, less than about 50 percent of agitation to the reaction medium is provided by mechanical agitation.