Abstract
Two new reactor strategies for the continuous poly(ethylene terephthalate) esterification process are proposed for the purpose of intensifying the reaction performance according to different gas-liquid contact modes. Comprehensive mathematical models based on the kinetic and thermodynamic equations are developed to describe and examine two new reactor strategies and four existing industrial strategies. Simulation results of Zimmer esterification process are validated with the plant data. The influences of major operating conditions are investigated, while the performance of each reactor strategy is evaluated. The result shows that reactor type with different gas-liquid contact mode has great influence on mass transfer and reaction performance. The tower reactor strategy with gas-liquid countercurrent operation does well in reaction performance, which can be further improved by means of relocating the gas outlet. Reactor strategy with gas-liquid cocurrent operation balances the reaction performance and the energy consumption. In addition, the reactor strategy with gas-liquid cocurrent (without inert gas venting) gives the best product quality and lowest energy consumption.
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