| abstract |
A liquid feed containing methanol, carbon monoxide, an alkyl iodide and a solvent is contacted with a supported rhodium catalyst to produce acetic acid at a temperature of 140 DEG -250 DEG C. and a pressure of 15-60 kg/cm2G with a partial pressure of carbon monoxide of 7-30 kg/cm2 while maintaining (a) the water concentration of the product solution in the range of 0.5-10% by weight and (b) the carbonylation degree Cr, defined in the specification, of the solution within the reactor at 0.15 or more. The solvent may be a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid ester. |