| abstract |
The invention relates to a conversion process fed with a diol feedstock comprising at least 90% by weight of diol and a carboxylic acid feedstock comprising at least 80% by weight of carboxylic acid, said process comprising at least: - an esterification step, fed with at least said diol feedstock and at least said carboxylic acid feedstock, the feed flow rates being adjusted such that the carboxylic acid/diol molar ration at the entry of said esterification step is between 2 and 6, said esterification step comprising at least one reactive distillation column operated at a temperature of between 40 and 280°C, at a pressure of between 0.01 and 0.5 MPa, with a molar reflux ratio of between 0.5 and 10 and a molar reboil ratio of between 0.5 and 10, consisting of a mixed reaction/separation zone located between two separation zones, each of said separation zones having an effectiveness of at least two theoretical stages, said mixed zone comprising a heterogeneous acid catalyst, said esterification step producing at least one distillate comprising water and a diol diester residue; - a step of removing the water fed with said distillate comprising water and producing at least one water effluent. |