Simulation of a Steady‐State Continuous Catalytic Reactive Distillation Column by Using a Multiscale Capillary Model

Abstract

AbstractA continuous packed‐bed catalytic reactive distillation column used to study the esterification of acetic acid with methanol to synthesize methyl acetate was modeled as a capillary monolith. The solid catalyst used for this study was Indion 180 ion‐exchange resin. The catalyst was immobilized in the column by using a structured packing equivalent to Katapak‐S. Experiments were performed under different operating conditions. To validate the experimental results, a capillary model was developed for the catalytic reactive distillation by combining a model based on evaporation rate with the pore diffusion model for the reaction kinetics at the catalyst‐particle scale. The model predictions for composition and temperature profiles along the length of the column were compared with the experimental data and found to be in good agreement.