Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for the production of purified terephthalic acid crystals in an integrated terephthalic acid – polyester plant comprising the steps of: i) providing a stream of purified terephthalic acid crystals in an aqueous medium; ii) separating the purified terephthalic acid crystals from the aqueous medium in a filtration zone; and iii) washing the purified terephthalic acid crystals with an aqueous wash liquid, characterised in that at least a portion of the aqueous wash liquid is derived from an aqueous condensate liquor from the polyester plant.