Question

How much is needed to produce one kg of acetic acid from methanol carbonylation and how much would be needed if the process was scaled up to 50,000 tonnes.

Answer 1

Acetic acid is produced by methanol carbonylation.

In this process, methanol and carbon monoxide react to produce acetic acid according to the following equation :

CH₃OH + CO CH₃COOH

Molar mass of methanol(CH4O) is = At.mass of C + (4xAt.mass of H) + At.mass of O

                                                 = 12 + (4x1) + 16

                                                 = 32 g/mol

Molar mass of acetic acid , C₂H₄O₂ is = (2xAt.mass of C) + (4xAt.mass of H) + (2xAt.mass of O )

                                                        = (2x12) + (4x1) + (2x16)

                                                        = 60 g/mol

From the balanced equation ,

1 mole of acetic acid will produced from 1 mole of methanol

                                 OR

60 g of acetic acid will produced from 32 g of methanol

1kg = 1000g of acetic acid will produced from M g of methanol

M = (1000x32) / 60

    = 533.3 g

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60 g of acetic acid will produced from 32 g of methanol                OR

60 tonne of acetic acid will produced from 32 tonne of methanol

50,000 tonne of acetic acid will produced from N tonne of methanol

N = (50,000 x 32 ) / 60

   = 26,666.7 tonnes