METHOD OF PRODUCING MALIC ACID AND DEVICE FOR ITS REALIZATION Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: food industry. SUBSTANCE: method involves hydration of maleic acid by its heating to 145-155 C and sustaining within 19-21 h at said temperature and gage pressure 2.3-2.8 atm, the process is carried out with the help of direct steam. Thus prepared reaction mass is affected by two-stepped evaporation and intermediate centrifuging to purify malic acid against impurities of fumaric and maleic acid. On the first step solution is evaporated to density at 50 C not more 1.26 g/cm³, on the second step evaporation to density not more 1-31 g/cm³ takes place. Device for producing malic acid has synthesis chamber and chamber for purification. Synthesis chamber has reactor for producing solution of maleic acid and reactor for synthesis. The latter is manufactured of titanium and has pipe for feeding direct steam into it. Chamber for purification has reactor for separation of malic acid solution, two reactor-crystallizers, centrifuge for isolating impurities of fumaric and maleic acid, centrifuge for separating crystalline malic acid and drying device. EFFECT: improves efficiency of the method. 6 cl, 1 dwg