| abstract |
The phase separation in the decanter of a process for producing acetic acid by carbonylating methanol in the presence of a catalyst under low water-high acid conditions is improved by forming a liquid mixture (D) which has a water content of at most 20% by weight, based on the weight of the liquid mixture, and a weight ratio of acetic acid to water of at least 1 :1, and partitioning the liquid mixture by providing for an alkane(s) content of D of from 0.1 to 15% by weight, based on the weight of D, to obtain a light, aqueous phase and a heavy, organic phase. |