Microwave-assisted continuous reactive distillation process for preparation of ethyl acetate

As a novel process intensification technology, microwave-assisted continuous reaction distillation (MRD) was proposed for the esterification reaction and separation of ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The effects of reflux ratio, mole ratio of acetic acid (HOAc) to ethanol (EtOH), reboiler duty, microwave power on EtOH conversions, EtOAc purity and mass ratio of distillate to feed (D/F) were explored. In comparison with conventional heating, the experimental results revealed that the EtOAc purity in the distillate under microwave conditions (MC) was improved. Computer simulations for conventional and MRD systems were performed using the Aspen Plus non-equilibrium stage model to substantiate the experimental results. The model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data, revealing the accuracy and reliability of the non-equilibrium model. This new MRD process can be an effective and productive method of ester production.

Simulation of Cumene Synthesis by Suspension Catalytic Distillation

This paper deals with alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene by Suspension Catalytic Distillation (SCD) which, as a new technology of process intensification, has been developed from traditional catalytic distillation. In this SCD process, the supported heteropolyacid catalysts are suspended inside the liquid phase on the column tray and flow with them, while in traditional catalytic distillation the catalyst pellets are generally fixed somewhere inside the column. SCD processes have been investigated for alkylation reaction of benzene with olefins in laboratorial scale. A pilot plant of SCD process for cumene synthesis had been run for several months. It has shown more advantageous characteristics for cumene synthesis compared with conventional process consisting of a reactor followed by distillation train. Based on experimental data and the reactive kinetic parameters of cumene synthesis using the supported heteropolyacid catalysts, numerical simulation of SCD process of the pilot plant was performed by an equilibrium stage model to study the effects of operation conditions on the process performance. The simulation results could agree, to a great extent, with the data acquired from the pilot plant experiment.

Simulation of Process for Preparing Sodium Methoxide Using Aspen Plus

An equilibrium stage model for preparing sodium methoxide from sodium hydroxide and methanol in a reactive distillation column was developed using Aspen Plus simulator. The simulation was in good agreement with plant data. Effects of bottom-to-overhead feed ratio, content of water in bottom feed and methanol-to-NaOH mass ratio in overhead feed were discussed. The results is of reference value for prediction and optimization of industrial process.