BigPatents India

The invention relates to a method for the continuous preparation of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by carbonylation using carbon monoxide, methanol or a methanol derivative that can be carbonylated, in liquid phase, in the presence of water and a catalytic system. According to the invention, in order to improve the production of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate, the temperature of the reactor and the inlet flow of methanol, or the methanol derivative that can be carbonylated, into said reactor are controlled by the inlet flow of carbon monoxide and by at least one of the parameters that define the composition of the reaction medium and/or events, said automatic control being performed preferably by means of a predictive multi-variable regulator. The inventive method is suitable for use in Monsanto-type preparation methods and low water content methods.