Selectivity engineering with Single Feed Hybrid Reactive Distillation Configurations: Complex reaction schemes with inerts and inert forming azeotropes

Abstract

Hybrid Reactive Distillation Configurations (HRDCs), with single feed/multi-side draws having both reactive and non-reactive sections, can be effectively used to get the desired selectivity in multi-reaction systems. Our previous research (Hasan et al., 2013a,b, 2014, 2015; Singh et al., 2018, 2019, 2021) was focused on finding designs of hybrid RD columns of desired selectivity for complex reaction schemes without inerts. In the present work, we extend the approach to cover a wider range of multi-reaction schemes and include systems with inerts present in feed as well as inert forming multi-azeotropes in the column. Using the concepts of attainable region and graphical simulation approach, we developed algorithms that are capable of finding at least one feasible design of hybrid RD configuration successfully that give the desired selectivity in the systems under study. Further, the effect of inert percentage in feed and volatility of inert on the design of hybrid RD columns is also investigated. The developed methodology allows us to find the maximum allowable percentage of inerts in feed to obtain a feasible design of hybrid RD column. The methodologies developed here are applicable to any number of inerts present in the feed, any number of total components, inerts of any volatility, inerts forming multi-azeotropes with any of the reactant, product/desired product. However, they are limited to single feed configurations and to the multi-reaction schemes with a maximum of three products undergoing further side reactions wherein the reactant(s) is/are of intermediate volatility.