Experimental analysis in different batch operating units for process intensification: methyl acetate production case study

Abstract

In the present study, different process intensification options in batch mode are considered for a class of reactions, and are evaluated with respect to enhancement in conversion and product purity considering methyl acetate formation reaction as an experimental case study. The options explored include operation in different batch operating units and use of different molar ratios of reactants. Integrated reaction and separation is considered in two ways, namely by simple reactive batch distillation, and by multi-stage reactive batch distillation with partial reflux. It is observed that conversions beyond equilibrium conversion are achieved by process intensification, and relatively purer products are obtained compared to the base case. The purity and conversions in the multi-stage column are found to be higher than with simple distillation. Increasing the molar ratio of methanol in the reaction feed mixture is found to yield high conversions at the expense of purity of methyl acetate in the product. The present study considers a typical case of an esterification reaction with azeotropic mixtures, and the analysis is applicable to a class of reactions satisfying the criteria mentioned.

A Systematic Methodology for the Synthesis of Advanced Reactive Distillation Technologies

“…74 Experimental and modeling studies have been performed, including control structures applied for RD applications. 42,75,76,80,91 Aiming to improve the performance of RD, an R-DWC at atmospheric pressure presented benefits in terms of TAC compared to a sequence of RD and conventional distillation and showed better dynamic performance than a single RD using a stoichiometric feed ratio. 79 Integration of a membrane module to RD to overcome the methanol-methyl acetate azeotrope has not been described in the literature, although independent membrane studies have been performed.…”

“…• Step 4: The mixture is nonideal and exhibits two lowboiling azeotropes: methyl acetate-methanol and methyl acetate-water. 80 The normal boiling point and types of azeotropes are detailed in Table S12 in the Supporting Information. As a result, the ester product is usually removed as the methanol-methyl acetate azeotrope, whose treatment has been studied in various membrane applications.…”

“…The esterification of organic acids, particularly acetic acid, has been thoroughly studied in both traditional and hybrid processes . Experimental and modeling studies have been performed, including control structures applied for RD applications. ,,,, Aiming to improve the performance of RD, an R-DWC at atmospheric pressure presented benefits in terms of TAC compared to a sequence of RD and conventional distillation and showed better dynamic performance than a single RD using a stoichiometric feed ratio . Integration of a membrane module to RD to overcome the methanol-methyl acetate azeotrope has not been described in the literature, although independent membrane studies have been performed. ,− , Babi et al presented a synthesis-intensification framework that emphasizes the importance of membranes to improve sustainability.…”

“…Dehydration of methanol occurs in parallel with the esterification of lactic acid. Thus, R-DWC is recommended to deal with the side reaction. Step 4: The mixture is nonideal and exhibits two low-boiling azeotropes: methyl acetate-methanol and methyl acetate-water . The normal boiling point and types of azeotropes are detailed in Table S12 in the Supporting Information.…”

“…Step 4: The mixture is nonideal and exhibits two low-boiling azeotropes: methyl acetate-methanol and methyl acetate-water . The normal boiling point and types of azeotropes are detailed in Table S12 in the Supporting Information.…”