Design Method for Kinetically Controlled, Staged Reactive Distillation Columns

Abstract

This paper develops a systematic steady-state design methodology for kinetically controlled, staged reactive distillation columns, taking into account a single isomolar or nonisomolar liquid-phase reaction, heat effects, nonideal vapor−liquid equilibrium, and a distribution of liquid holdups on the reactive stages. The method is useful for developing a spectrum of feasible designs over a range of design conditions, which provides insight into the effect of such variables as reboil ratio, heat of reaction, and Damkohler number on the total number of stages. The method is demonstrated by developing feasible column designs for the dehydration of methanol, the metathesis of 2-pentene, and the production of ethylene glycol. In addition, an example is given where an ordinary distillation boundary is removed by conducting the reaction and separation simultaneously, thereby greatly simplifying the process flowsheet.