Industrial Applications of Reactive Distillation: Recent Trends

Abstract

Last few years have seen a dramatic rise in the number of applications of reactive distillation (RD). This useful technology is now being applied for any scale of operation-from manufacture of fine chemicals to that of bulk chemicals. This article reviews the very recent applications and serves as a supplement for the exhaustive review on this subject by Sharma and Mahajani (2003). It not only furnishes the information on the ongoing research in the existing applications but also elaborates the newly discovered applications such as manufacture of phenol, linear alkyl benzene, carbonates, chlorosilane derivatives and chiral chemicals. Multiple reactions in RD, failure of RD in some cases and new RD configurations to increase the overall yields are some of the additional aspects being covered.

Étude de faisabilité de l’estérification d’un diacide par distillation réactive

“…) pouvant représenter une part considérable du coût du procédé se trouve réduit; -catalyse : la température en tout point est limitée par la température de bulle: le risque de dégradation du catalyseur est écarté en même temps que le risque de formation de points chauds. Quelques revues très exhaustives sur les réactions potentiellement applicables à la distillation réactive et présentant un intérêt industriel majeur ont été publiées ces dernières années (Hiwale et al, 2004 ;Malone et Doherty, 2000 ;Sharma et Mahajani, 2003). Elles concernent près d'une centaine de réactions rassemblées au sein d'une quinzaine de classes différentes.…”

Simulation & Control Studies of Dual Reactive Distillation for Fatty Acid Esters

“…The suitability of RD for a particular reaction depends on various factors such as volatility of reactants and products along with the feasible reaction and distillation temperature. Hence, the use of RD for every reaction may not be feasible [2]. Important advantages of reactive distillation which includes lower capital & operating cost, improved conversion of reactant, increased yield, improved selectivity & Heat integration benefits [3].Generally, reactive distillation can be used with a wide variety of reactions including, esterification, etherification, hydrolysis, isomerization and trans-esterification [4].…”

Modelling of Reactive Distillation for Acetic Acid Esterification

“…A homogenous catalyst is used in this reaction. Difficulty in separating catalyst from the product stream, corrosion and disposal problems are likely to occur in homogenous catalyzed processes [9].…”

“…The reaction is carried out in a reactive distillation column with acetic acid and 2-methyl propanol in the presence of ion exchange resins. Methyl acetate is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of a variety of polyesters such as photographic film base, cellulose acetate, tenite cellulosic plastics and estron acetate [9].…”