PROCESS TO CONTROL HI CONCENTRATION IN RESIDUUM STREAM

A process directed to acetic acid production comprising providing a feed stream having a first density comprising water, acetic acid, methyl acetate, at least one PRC, and greater than about 30 wt% methyl iodide to a distillation column comprising a distillation zone and a bottom sump zone; and distilling the feed stream at a pressure and a temperature sufficient to produce an overhead stream having a second density and comprising greater than about 40 wt% methyl iodide and at least one PRC; wherein a percent decrease between the first density and the second density is from 20% to 35%.