A process in which the methyl aceta

A process in which the methyl acetate stream could be sent directly to a carbonylation process to produce acetic acid (or acetic anhydride or co-production of the acetic acid and acetic anhydride) would eliminate the need fbr the equipment and energy requirement fbr hydrolysis. However, the methyl acetate stream is not suitable to be directly fed to the carbonylation process. The art generally does not address the issue of impure methyl acetate and the need to purify prior to recycle in a cyclic integrated process. The methyl acetate itself is unsuitable as feed to a carbonylation unit without removal or treatment of impurities. If not removed, the methyl acetate impurities lead to problems in downstream use. The polymer solids must be removed, as the solids would fbul the carbonylation process. The water content must be adjusted to be appropriate fbr the product being produced. For example, if acetic acid is being produced by carbonylation, then no more than one molecular unit of water may enter the reactor per unit of methyl acetate. Otherwise, dry acetic acid is not produced..