Optimization studies on a continuous catalytic reactive distillation column for methyl acetate production with response surface methodology

Abstract

Esterification of acetic acid with methanol to produce methyl acetate has been studied in a continuous packed bed catalytic reactive distillation column. A novel solid catalyst Indion 180 ion exchange resin was used. The response surface methodology (RSM) technique based on central composite design (CCD) optimization method was used to design the experiments. Experiments were performed under different operating conditions of reboiler temperature, reflux ratio, total feed flow rate, methanol to acetic acid mole ratio, feed locations of acetic acid and methanol with respect to reactive zone and their effect on the conversion of acetic acid as well as on compositions of distillate and bottom products. Based on experimental data and central composite design, a regression model has been developed. The model correlates the purity of methyl acetate in the distillate and six most significant independent variables. From the statistical tests it has been established that the model truly represents the experimental data. There is a good agreement between optimum conditions for methyl acetate concentration in the distillate, predicted by model and experimental data. The comparison of the experimental results with the simulation results from equilibrium stage-wise model compared and found that there is good agreement between them.