Acetic Acid, Low Pressure Carbonylation of Methanol

Monsanto's process for producing acetic acid by low pressure carbonylation of methanol is reevaluated in this review. In comparison with n-butane oxidation and acetaldehyde oxidation for acetic acid production, the Monsanto process has product value (cost + 25%/yr ROI) advantages over n-butane oxidation and acetaldehyde oxidation, respectively. The Monsanto process requires less total fixed capital than the n-butane oxidation process and would also require less total fixed capital than the acetaldehyde oxidation process if an investment for acetaldehyde production as an intermediate is included.