| abstract |
Procedure comprising: a. providing a feed stream having a first density comprising water, acetic acid, methyl acetate, at least one PRC, and more than about 30% by weight methyl iodide to a distillation column comprising a distillation zone and a lower sump zone; and b. distilling the feed stream at a pressure and temperature sufficient to produce an overhead stream having a second density and comprising greater than about 40% by weight methyl iodide and at least one PRC; wherein the percentage decrease between the first density and the second density is from 20% to 35%; wherein a waste stream flowing from the lower sump zone has a third density that is less than the first density, and comprises more than about 0.1% by weight of water, wherein the waste stream comprises greater than or equal to about 0.11% by weight HI, and wherein at least a portion of the HI is produced within the distillation column. |