Patent ID: 8729289

Claim:
A method for switching production from a first ester product to a second and different ester product, in an esterification process that comprises a feed vessel for feeding a continuous finishing section which comprises at least one filtration step using solids addition for precoating a precoat filter, comprising the steps of before introducing the second ester product into the feed vessel, a) reducing the level of said feed vessel, b) optionally switching the precoat filter in service to a filter with a fresh precoat layer, c) reducing the level of precoat containing liquid in the filter precoat vessel, introducing the second ester product into the feed vessel of the continuous finishing section, and after feeding to the feed vessel a preselected portion of the volume of the second ester, required for flushing out the first ester from the continuous finishing section, d) redirecting the product rundown of the finishing section from the vessel receiving the first product ester to a different vessel for receiving the second product ester, e) optionally re-establishing increased liquid levels in the filter precoat vessel and in the feed vessel to the continuous finishing section.