Conceptual design and process construction of [formula omitted]-propyl propionate production by reactive distillation

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to perform the conceptual design and process construction of n-propyl propionate synthesis by reactive distillation. Firstly, the reaction kinetic and thermodynamic models were summarized. The isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium data of the binary systems 1-propanol (1) + n-propyl propionate (2) and propionic acid (1) + n-propyl propionate (2) were measured. The UNIQUAC model was used to describe the thermodynamic behavior of this system. Secondly, non-reactive residue curve maps and reactive residue curve maps analyses were used for conceptual design to obtain the preliminary configuration and operating conditions of the reactive distillation column. Finally, the sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the preliminary process configuration and identify key operational variables.