Acetic Acid → Methyl Acetate

Participants

Reaction Steps

At this point vaporized methanol is started down the top of column 14d via lines 28d, 48d. By virtue of the fact that there is little acetic acid present in column 14d, there is little heat of reaction from the formation of methyl acetate. Therefore, downward travel of methanol is continued until the vapor breaks through adjacent bottom of column 14d, (as indicated by the temperature reading of probe 15d), whereupon upward travel thereof is commenced by delivery of addition quantities of methanol through line 28d. During downflow of methanol within column 14d, furfural, water, a minor amount of acetic acid and any polymerized materials present pass through line 30d to tank 32d, and any methyl acetate formed will condense as the column heats up and similarly be forced out of column 14d. The secondary upward travel of methanol vapor and downward travel of methanol liquid within column 14d completes the removal of furfural such that the column is essentially loaded with methanol. The originally adsorbed furfural is at this point collected in tank 32 d.

Provenance & Evidence