Effect of kinetics and mass transfer on design of extractive reaction processes

Abstract

AbstractA generic model is derived for studying the effects of chemical kinetics and mass transfer on extractive reaction processes. Activity‐based models are used to describe non‐ideal liquid‐liquid phase equilibrium and reaction kinetics. Maxwell‐Stefan formulation and the film model are used to describe multicomponent mass transfer. The effects of kinetics and mass transfer are described in terms of Damköhler number matrices for reaction and for mass transfer, respectively. The elements of these matrices measure the rates of reactions and mass transfer relative to product removal. These effects are demonstrated using examples of systems with inherent phase separation and systems with solvent‐induced phase separation. The results show that it may not always be beneficial to operate extractive reaction processes near the equilibrium thermodynamic limit. Damköhler numbers have to be chosen carefully to obtain the desired performance. The use of the model in evaluating performance trade‐offs and in making judicious choices about reactor attributes is demonstrated.