Process for the continuous production of triacetin

A process for the continuous production of triacetin consisting essentially of continuousy charging liquid glycerol into a first liquid reaction area through which acetic acid vapors and water vapors flow, said liquid reaction area being divided into a number of separate individual areas through which liquid glycerol and liquid acetin reaction products flow in one direction and gaseous acetic acid and water flow in a countercurrent direction, continuously charging acetic acid vapor to a separate individual area where said liquid mixture has an OH number of less than 600, said liquid reaction areas being maintained at a pressure of from 0.2 to 30 bar and a temperature of from 100.degree. to 250.degree. C., the number of said separate individual areas and the amount of liquid glycerol and gaseous acetic acid charged being so selected that the total contact time of the reactants is at least one hour, continuously separating a liquid mixture of acetins and water having an OH number of less than 600, continuously passing said liquid mixture into a second liquid reaction area, continuously adding thereto liquid acetic acid anhydride in an amount sufficient to react with water dissolved in said liquid mixture to form acetic acid and to react with monoacetin and diacetin present to form triacetin, continuously recoverng triacetin, continuously passing vaporized acetic acid formed into said separate individual area where said liquid mixture has an OH number of less than 600, and continuously recovering a mixture of water vapors and acetic acid vapors having a content after condensation of less than 3% by weight of acetic acid.