Modelling reactive distillation

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) involving ultrasound for waste water treatment: A review with emphasis on cost estimation

The reaction kinetics and chemical equilibrium of the reversible esterification of methanol with acetic acid were investigated. This system is of major importance as a model reaction for reactive distillation. The reaction has been catalyzed both homogeneously by acetic acid itself and heterogeneously by an acidic ion-exchange resin (Amberlyst 15). The chemical equilibrium composition was measured for various temperatures and starting compositions of the reactants and products. Kinetic information was obtained at temperatures between 303.15 and 343.15 K at various starting compositions covering concentration ranges from the stoichiometric regime to the dilute regions. Both the esterification and the hydrolysis reaction were investigated to yield a model which is applicable for any starting composition. The homogeneous reaction has been described with a simple power-law model. The use of activities in the kinetic model instead of mole fractions results in a much smaller residual error. To compare pseudohom...

Reaction Kinetics and Chemical Equilibrium of Homogeneously and Heterogeneously Catalyzed Acetic Acid Esterification with Methanol and Methyl Acetate Hydrolysis

Effect of osmosis and ultrasound on pineapple cell tissue structure during dehydration

A parametric review of sonochemistry: Control and augmentation of sonochemical activity in aqueous solutions.

Investigations on the energy conversion in sonochemical processes

The production of methyl acetate in a reactive distillation process – prior art for 15 years – is often used as an example to study the basic phenomena of reactive distillation. The present paper deals with a theoretical and experimental analysis of methyl acetate synthesis in a reactive distillation column. A design method based on the interpretation of reactive distillation line diagrams is used to identify the main process parameters and to provide a foundation for experimental investigation. The significant influence of the reflux ratio on the conversion in the column is shown by mini plant experiments using supported ion exchanger in the form of Raschig rings as a heterogeneous catalyst. These experiments demonstrate the catalytic quality of this packing material. To simulate the reactive distillation column with a simple stage-to-stage method, the separation efficiency of the catalytic rings is investigated. Comparison of experimental and simulation results reveals that a simple model based on the assumption of simultaneous chemical and phase equilibrium describes the experimental data quite well over a wide range of reflux ratios. Furthermore, simulation results show that the conversion depends less on the number of reactive stages than on the use of two feed stages.

Investigations on the Synthesis of Methyl Acetate in a Heterogeneous Reactive Distillation Process

In the present work the synthesis of aluminum triisopropoxide from aluminum and 2-propanol without additional catalysts is investigated. The autocatalytic effect of the aluminum alkoxide on induction periods and the acceleration of the reaction kinetics with increasing specific surface area are shown. The experimental results demonstrate the advantages of a continuous process operation, which has to be carried out at sufficient temperatures.

Jan-Martin Löning

Papers

Investigations on the energy conversion in sonochemical processes

Investigations on the Synthesis of Methyl Acetate in a Heterogeneous Reactive Distillation Process

On the Question of the Technical Synthesis of Aluminum Alkoxides