Method for preparing alkyl carboxylic acid ester and apparatus for preparing alkyl carboxylic acid ester

Abstract

In methods for preparing an alkyl carboxylic acid ester according to an embodiment, a first reaction product is produced by reaction of a carboxylic acid stream and a first alcohol stream in a preliminary reactor. A second reaction product is produced by at least partially removing alcohol and water from the first reaction product. The second reaction product is esterified by reaction with a second alcohol stream in a main reactor. An alkyl carboxylic acid ester is recovered from the main reactor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for preparing an alkyl carboxylic acid ester, comprising:
 a preliminary reactor for partial esterification through reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol;   a separator for receiving a reaction product from the preliminary reactor and at least partially separating water and alcohol;   a main reactor for receiving a reaction product from which water and alcohol are separated from a distillation column and esterifying an unreacted carboxylic acid; and   a separation and purification unit for collecting an alkyl carboxylic acid ester produced from the main reactor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for preparing an alkyl carboxylic acid ester according to  claim 1 , wherein the separator is a distillation column. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for preparing an alkyl carboxylic acid ester according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a carboxylic acid supply passage and a first alcohol supply passage, connected with the preliminary reactor; and   a second alcohol supply passage connected with the main reactor.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for preparing an alkyl carboxylic acid ester according to  claim 2 , further comprising a reflux unit for recovering water and alcohol separated from the distillation column.