A comparative study of equilibrium and non-equilibrium models for ethyl acetate production in reactive distillation

Abstract

The mathematical modeling and simulation have been performed to an esterification of Acetic Acid (AA) with Ethyl Alcohol (EOH) for production of Ethyl Acetate (EA) and water in a Reactive Distillation Column (RDC). The equilibrium and non-equilibrium (rate based) models have been applied to perform simulations for an esterification system. The ethyl alcohol and acetic acid reacts with sulphuric acidin reactive zone for the production of ethyl acetate and water. The in-situ separations of components in reaction section improves conversion and purity. The feeds entered into the column are at a temperature of 25ºC and a pressure of 1 bar. The feed flow rates are adjusted from 0.02 L/min to 0.09 L/min. The acetic acid is fed on 8th stage and ethanol is fed on 14th stage. The composition and temperature profiles have compared for the equilibrium and rate based models from condenser stage to reboiler stage. Sensitivity analysis was performed under various operating conditions for the equilibrium and rate based models. From the simulations it is found that mole fraction of ethyl acetate is 71.41% from rate based model which is higher than equilibrium model.