Chemical engineering department Chemical industries Producing Acetic Acid This presentation done by Hussein Ali Jadooa

1. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
PRODUCING ACETIC ACID
THIS PRESENTATION DONE BY HUSSEIN ALI JADOOA

2. ACETIC ACID
INTRODUCTION
 Acetic acid, 𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 is an organic compound which also
written as𝐶𝐻3 𝐶𝑂2 𝐻 or 𝐶2 𝐻4 𝑂2
 . It is a colorless liquid in undiluted(100%) form is called as
glacial acetic acid.
 The very dilute form of acetic acid (8 – 10%) is known as
vinegar and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell
 Although it is classified as a weak acid, while concentrated
acetic acid is corrosive to the skin.

3. 𝐂 𝟐 𝐇 𝟒 𝐎 𝟐Molecular formula
𝟔𝟎. 𝟎𝟓
𝐠𝐦
𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐞
Molecular weight
Colourless liquidAppearance
PungentOdour
𝟏𝟏𝟖 − 𝟏𝟏𝟗℃Boiling point
𝟏𝟔 − 𝟏𝟕℃Melting point
𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟗
𝐠𝐦
𝐜𝐦𝟑
Density
Miscible with waterSolubility

4. USES :
As monomer in the production of vinyl acetate
Used in synthesis of wood glue, synthetic fibers, fabrics and cellulose
acetate
Esters of acetic acid used as solvent in coatings, inks and paints
industry
20% of acetic acid is used as solvent in terephthalic acid production
As a stop bath in development of photographic films
As a household vinegar to clean indoor climbing holds of chalk
As solvent for recrystallization to purify organic compounds
As wart and verruca remover
As a food additives

5. MANUFACTURE
Acetic acid can be manufactured by
following methods :
1. Methanol carbonylation
2. Ethylene oxidation
3. Oxidative fermentation
4. Anaerobic fermentation

6. Raw material
 Methanol
 Carbon monoxide
1.Methanol carbonylation
Reaction
Manufacture process
RhodiumCatalyst
iodineactivator
between 10 - 15barpartial pressure
175℃temperature

8. Advantages and disadvantages of Methanol carbonylation
Disadvantages :
• Rhodium metal is very expensive - more expensive than gold
• the severe corrosion to equipment by the catalyst iodide.
• Rhodium and iodide form insoluble salts such as RhI3, so water content in the
reaction vessel has to be kept relatively high to prevent this. A final distillation
step is required to remove water, adding to the costs and energy demand.
• Blocking the catalyst, so there is a need to clean it.

9. Raw material
• Ethylene
• Oxygen
2.Ethylene oxidation
Reaction
Manufacture process
palladium supported on aluminaCatalyst
150 -300 psipressure
215 – 250℃temperature

11. Disadvantages
 The conversion is less than the previous method, so should be recycled the
unreacted material to increase the conversion that mean low of production.
 Blocking the catalyst, so there are needed to clean it.
 The temperature and pressure are higher than the previous method
Advantages and disadvantages of ethylene oxidation
method

12. Raw material
 Ethanol
 Oxygen
3.Oxidative fermentation
Reaction
Manufacture process
 The temperature of reaction is (26 – 36℃)
 Pressure (1bar)
 An aerobic bacterium like acetobacter was added into the fermenter for
aerobic fermentation.

14. Advantages and disadvantages of
Oxidative fermentation
Advantages
 The temperature of reaction is (26 – 36℃)
 Number of equipment is little
 An aerobic bacterium(acetobacter)
tolerates high acidity
Disadvantages
 Yield, approximately 20% of acetic acid during 60 hr.
 The amount of water which is used more than the previous
methods.

15. Raw material
 Sugar
 Anaerobic bacteria (Genus
Clostridium)
 Nitrogen
4.Anaerobic fermentation
Reaction
Manufacture process
 the temperature of reaction is (30 - 35℃)
 Pressure (1 – 1.5 bar ).

17. Advantages
 The temperature of reaction is (30 - 35 ℃).
 The yield approximately 85%
 Converted of sugar directly to acetic acid without pass through in
alcohol .
 the anaerobic process offers 60% reduction in raw material.
Disadvantages
• The mechanism of anaerobic fermentation of sugar is quite
complex.
• An anaerobic bacteria (clostridium) does not tolerate high acidity
so the concentration of acetic acid must be concentrated

18. The most important method for producing acetic acid in modern industries is
carbonylation of methanol.
Due to :
• The selectivity of this process is 99% as compared to
the 90% of other processes, and even lesser in other
processes.
• The operation is cheaper than other processes.
• The methanol used as the feedstock is comparatively
cheaper than the feed in other processes.
• Fermentation process which also seems viable in
terms of operation involves a greater upstream and
downstream cost for sterilization of equipment to
provide an environment for microbial growth.
• The liquid phase reaction is easy to control.