VINYL ACETATE SYNTHESIS METHOD USING REACTION HEAT RELEASED DURING SYNTHESIS Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC C07C67/05 C07C69/15 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an improved method of producing vinyl acetate via a gas-phase reaction between ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen with heterogeneous catalysis in continuous mode at pressure 1-30 bars and temperature 130-200°C while tapping reaction heat through heat exchange with water which converts the water into vapour at temperature 120-185°C and pressure 1-10 bars and then separating the gas stream containing the product, said stream mainly consisting of ethylene, vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water, carbon dioxide and other inert gases, and complete or partial return of ethylene into the process with circulation of recycle gas. The water vapour at temperature 120-185°C and pressure 1-10 bars formed during the gas phase reaction as a result of heat exchange is completely or partially compressed with increase of its pressure by at least 0.5 bars and then directed for further use in the vinyl acetate production apparatus.

EFFECT: method enables complete use of vapour formed during exothermic gas-phase reaction during synthesis of vinyl acetate and significantly reduces the volume of supplying heating vapour from external sources.

4 cl, 2 ex