On the Integration of Reaction and Separation in a Batch Extractive Distillation Column with a Middle Vessel

ESPINOSA, JOSÉ

INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMICAL RESEARCH

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Año: 2002 vol. 41 p. 3657 - 3668

0888-5885

In this work, the integration of reaction and separation in a batch extractive distillation column with a middle vessel/reactor is analyzed for azeotrope-forming mixtures. This equipment configuration has the potential to promote complete conversion of reactants and therefore, the main process characteristics are investigated. A mixture showing several azeotropes and suffering an esterification reaction was selected as an academic example. The first part of the paper deals with the phase equilibrium analysis of the mixture. The nodes (pure components and azeotropes) and the topology of the residue curves map of the multicomponent mixture are obtained. The analysis of the residue curves map is also used to select one of the reagents as entrainer. The last part of this section deals with the feasibility of the combined operation. The second part of the contribution focuses on the different steps of the process. The influence of operating and process parameters on the operation performance is studied with the aid of a process simulator. Physical explanations are given for the results. Finally, comments on the control structure are given in the third part of the paper. Results show the advantages of integrating reaction and separation to enhance both reagents conversion and product separation.