Simulation and Optimization of Isopropyl Lactate Manufacturing Process

The new chemical processes are investigated in laboratory, usually in batch, with pure reactants, and specific laboratory methods applied for the purification of the products. Scaling-up processes means passing from batch to continuous process, using feed with impurificators, industrial equipment for separation and recirculation or purge for an economic operation with special care for safety and environment. This is why, following a study in laboratory for isopropyl lactate obtaining by transesterification in reactive distillation system, a flowsheet of the industrial process was proposed in this paper. Simulations of the transesterification process were performed. The purpose of these simulations has been to find the optimum solution from energy consumption point of view. Optimum parameters of the reactive distillation were found: the molar ratio isopropanol/methyl lactate R= 1.06, the number of theoretical stages in the distillation zone NTS=2.4 and the reflux ratio RR=2, in a process that produces 1.3 t/h IPL of 96% wt purity.