Review Modeling of Reactive Distillation Column for the Production of Ethyl Acetate through Esterification

Reactive distillation is the combination of reaction and separation in a same column. It is an attractive option whenever liquid phase reactant is in large excess. The energy requirement of the conventional column is very high and requires large recycling costs. RD column works close to the stoichiometric feed conditions thereby eliminating recycling costs and increases the efficiency of the column. Reactive distillation is attractive when the liquid phase reactant is in large excess. The conversion of homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction takes place in reactive distillation column in which the reaction takes place in the presence of catalyst. Designing, operation and process development of RD column is highly complex task. Ethyl acetate and water is produced by the esterification of acetic acid and alcohol using catalyst such as sulphuric acid or ion exchange resins. The system temperature is kept at 700C and pressure of 1 atm. The reaction is endothermic, second order and reversible. Acetic acid and ethanol reacts according to the reaction to produce ethyl Acetate and Water. The reaction is highly equilibrium limited. The products are continuously sent to separation thus driving the equilibrium towards right direction. The process is non-ideal due to the presence of ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. There is the formation of five normal azeotropes i.e. ethanol-water, Water-acetic acid, ethyl acetate –ethanol, ethyl acetate-water, ethanol-acetic acid-ethyl acetate. Separation of these azeotropes is very difficult. In the proposed work review on modeling of the reactive distillation column for the production of ethyl acetate is given.