Conceptual Design of Double-Feed Reactive Distillation Columns

The feasibility and feasible range of operating parameters for double-feed reactive distillation columns are evaluated, based on the combination of pinch point map analysis for the middle-section in the compositional space and the feed angle method as an efficient shortcut design method. Limiting bounds for operating parameters are determined where the properties of singular points change. The existence and values of such bounds may vary in double-feed reactive distillation columns depending on the nature of the system under study. The methodology is illustrated by production of methyl acetate and ethyl acetate. An efficient method is described to identify the most promising candidates of double-feed reactive distillation columns and to study the design flexibility in terms of operating parameters.