Investigation of different column configurations for the ethyl acetate synthesis via reactive distillation

The ethyl acetate synthesis via reactive distillation is studied theoretically and experimentally using different catalytic packings. Experiments are carried out at laboratory scale in a 50 mm diameter column with a packing height of 3 m, and at semi-industrial scale in a 162 mm diameter column with a packing height of 12 m. The experimental set-up is similar for both cases. The commercially available packings studied are KATAPAK®-S and two different variants of MULTIPAK®. Modelling is performed with a rate-based stage model. The simulation environment ASPEN Custom Modeler™ is used for the implementation and solution of the model equations. The results of the rate-based simulations agree well with the corresponding experimental results. In addition, suitable operating conditions and the influence of the selected catalytic internal on conversion and product purity are investigated. The developed model enables the scale-up from laboratory to industrial size columns, based on the respective packing characteristics.