Method for esterification of a diol using a reactive distillation

A conversion method that is fed with a diol feedstock that comprises at least 90% by weight of diol and a carboxylic acid feedstock that comprises at least 80% by weight of carboxylic acid, with said method comprising at least:

• esterification fed with at least said diol feedstock and at least said carboxylic acid feedstock, having feed flow rates adjusted in such a way that the esterification has a carboxylic acid/diol molar ratio at the inlet of said esterification between 2 and 4, with said esterification comprising at least one reactive distillation in a reactive distillation column operated at a temperature of between 40 and 280° C., at a pressure of between 0.01 and 0.5 MPa, with a molar reflux rate of between 0.5 and 10, and a molar reboil rate of between 0.5 and 10, said column having a mixed reaction/separation zone located between two separation zones, with each of said separation zones having an effectiveness of at least two theoretical stages, said mixed zone comprising an acidic heterogeneous catalyst, said esterification producing at least one distillate that comprises water and a diol-diester residue;
• and
• water elimination fed with said distillate comprising water to produce at least one water effluent.