| abstract |
A terephthalic acid slurry in acetic acid is produced by oxidising p-xylene in acetic acid, removing water by evaporation of a stream of water and acetic acid, and returning acetic acid to the oxidation step. The terephthalic acid is separated from the reaction medium in a first zone to leave a deposit on a band, the deposit is washed with a first aqueous medium in a second zone, removed from the band in a third zone, and admixed with a second aqueous medium. Reaction medium is passed from the first zone to the oxidation step and terephthalic acid is recovered, preferably after further purification. |