SIMULATION AND HEAT & MASS INTEGRATION OF REACTIVE DISTILLATION COLUMN

Abstract

The design of reactive distillation (RD) systems is considerably much typical as compared to conventional process of reactors and distillation columns. Reactive distillation represents simultaneous implementation of reaction and distillation in a counter currently operated column. We have opportunity to utilize the 'heat of reaction' for mass transfer in the same column. The combination of reaction and separation units with a single unit operation not only reduces the overall costs but provides benefits in some cases.. Many scientists and chemical engineer tried to simulated these column by making of model at different condition like as equilibrium-based (vapor liquid equilibrium) or non equilibrium model, leads to vapor liquid mass transfer,(in case of homogeneous system) or intra-catalyst diffusion (for heterogeneously catalysed processes) and chemical kinetics. Especially these column work for reversible reactions such as esterification , etherification etc.. These columns used for the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and these has been commercialized to the scale of annual productivity more than 100,000 t in many countries. In the present study, mathematical model for reactive distillation have been simulated to produce MTBE and biodiesel with the use of Aspen Plus. For the production of MTBE, heat and mass integration of reactive distillation column also studied. By which conversion of reactant in the process can be increased and hot utility & cold utility requirement can be reduced.