Reactive distillation for the production of methoxy propyl acetate: experiments and simulation

TitleReactive distillation for the production of methoxy propyl acetate: experiments and simulation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsGadekar-Shinde, S, Reddy, B, Khan, M, Chavan, S, Saini, D, Mahajani, S
JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume56
Issue4
Pagination832-843
Date PublishedFEB
AbstractPropylene glycol methyl ether acetate is an industrially important solvent. In this work, we study the applicability of reactive distillation (RD) for its synthesis in the presence of an ion-exchange resin, Amberlyst 15, as a catalyst. Simultaneous separation of water during the course of reaction shifts the reaction in the forward direction, which renders cost effectiveness and compactness to the process. The presence of an azeotrope between methoxy propanol and water complicates the separation, leading to a loss of reactants in the product streams, thereby hampering both conversion and purity. Toluene is thus used as an entrainer to further intensify the process. In this work, the intrinsic kinetic parameters are determined from batch reactor data, and used subsequently to simulate the column performance. An experimentally validated simulator is used to examine the effect of various operating and design parameters. Reactant and product losses are minimized to negligible levels and a significant increase in the conversion is realized.
DOI10.1021/acs.iecr.6b03489
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)2.567
Divison category: 
Chemical Engineering & Process Development

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