SIMULATION OF CATALYTIC DISTILLATION COLUMN

Abstract

The present investigation pertains to a theoretical study of simulation of multicomponent catalytic distillation column. Basically it deals with the development of mathematical model for . esterification of methanol with acetic acid by using a column with two different feed setup: single feed column having 10 number of trays and two feed column having 25 number of trays including total condenser and a reboiler- In present investigation AnTherlyst-1.5 catalyst has been used as catalyst the present work. The reaction kinetics has been assumed to be heterogeneous. It also includes the solution technique for the solution of the ;model. Further, the comparison of the model has been done with data of Tim Popken (2001). Finally the effect of design variables namely- reflux ratio, feed tray location, start of reactive section, catalyst size and height of catalyst bed on the plate of reactive section have been done. By using the material balance, energy balance phase equilibrium relation and reaction kinetics of the esterification of methanol with acetic acid, mathematical model has been developed. The mathematical model has been solved by the technique used by Jelinek J. (1976). The model has been solved. for unknown variables composition of the component on each tray and methanol convcrsion.The model developed has been validated by comparing the composition profile in the in liquid phase and variation of methanol conversion with the reflux with data of Tim Popken (2001). Comparision shows good agreement with the experimental result; maximum deviation found is of 17.1%. The model used has used to determine the effect of various design variable namely- reflux ratio, feed tray location., start of reactive section, catalyst size and height of catalyst bed on the plate of reactive section on the methyl acetate concentration in the distillate and methanol conversion on the catalytic distillation column. It has been found that Methanol conversion and methyl acetate composition in the distillate initially similar behavior was also found for feed tray location. It is also observed that Methyl acetate composition in the distillate decreases with increase in start of reactive section (nrs), Methanol conversion decreases with increases in catalyst size irrespective of feed setup and Methanol conversion increases in height of catalyst bed in the reactive section. Feed tray location has most significant effect on methanol conversion and methyl acetate composition in the distillate. tv