Minimizing CO2 formation in Ir-catalyzed methanol carbonylation process

Acetic acid is one of the most important petrochemical products. Carbonylation of methanol in homogenous phase is one of the major routes for production of acetic acid. Amongst group VIII metal catalysts used in this process iridium has displayed the best capabilities. To investigate effect of operating parameters like: temperature, pressure, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, iridium, ruthenium, and water concentrations on the carbon dioxide formation, experimental design for this system based upon central composite design (CCD) was utilized. Statistical carbon dioxide formation equation developed by this method contained individual, interactions and curvature effects of parameters on the carbon dioxide formation. The model with p-value less than 0.0001 and R-2 values greater than 0.9; confirmed a satisfactory fitness of the experimental and theoretical studies. In other words, the developed model and experimental data obtained passed all diagnostic tests establishing this model as a statistically significant. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.