Controllability of reactive batch distillation columns

Reactive batch distillation offers advantages by combining reaction and separation whilst improving yield through the removal of equilibrium limiting products. However, the process can be complex to control and in this paper, the controllability of reactive batch distillation columns is examined using rigorous models. A robust linearisation approach is presented which can be used for the investigation of controllability of both reactive and non-reactive systems. The synthesis of ethyl acetate is considered as a case study and it is concluded that, for this example, the reaction has minimal impact on the controllability.