Acetic Acid Production Process (CT-ACETICA TM)

The CT-ACETICATM process, developed by Chiyoda, is a process to produce acetic acid by the
carbonylation of methanol. With a unique line of technologies including high-performance resin-
supported rhodium catalysts and bubble column loop reactors, the CT-ACETICATM process stands out
from other similar processes.

Capabilities

High-Performance Resin-Supported Rhodium Catalyst

Rhodium complex is used as a catalyst for the carbonylation reaction of methanol. Conventionally,
dissolving the Rh complex in the reactor requires large quantities of water. Consequently, the energy
requirement for separation of water from the acetic acid product also goes up. To overcome these
problems, Chiyoda Corporation has developed a thermostable vinylpyridine resin which can support the
rhodium complex.Fixing the rhodium complex catalyst to the vinylpyridine resin exhibits the following
advantages:

Without the solubility limitations, the amount of catalyst in the reactor can be raised to enhance the
space-time yield (STY) of the carbonylation reaction.

The loss of rhodium by precipitation in the distillation section can be reduced, since the resin-supported
rhodium catalyst remains in the reactor.

Since the amount of water is reduced to the minimum level required for the reaction, the refining cost
of the produced acetic acid decreases, in addition to reduced by-product formation.

Bubble Column Loop Reactor Technology

The CT-ACETICATM process adopts a bubble column loop reactor designed for the effective usage of
resin catalysts. As the carbon monoxide reactant gas is introduced and dispersed at the bottom of the
reactor, small bubbles are formed. These bubbles efficiently contact and react with methanol and resin
catalysts as they rise through the reactor.
The bubble column loop reactor has the following features:

High contact efficiency among the three phases: gas, liquid and solid

Airtightness is achieved, as there are no rotating elements. Resin erosion is also reduced.

Reaction heat is easily removed by installing a heat exchanger, thereby achieving more precise control
of reaction temperature.