Catalytic Distillation for TAME Synthesis with Structured Catalytic Packings

The paper describes reactive distillation modelling and parameter determination and it presents a model validation with pilot plant experiments. TAME, one of the main ether fuel additives is chosen as a test system. Pilot plant tests were carried out in a 200 mm inside diameter (I.D.) column equipped with a pre-reactor, a reactive section (Multipak ®, type 1 and 2), and stripping and rectifying sections (Bialecki rings). Experimentally determined characteristics of Multipak ® include hold-up, pressure drop, gas and liquid mass transfer coefficients (air–water, 250 mm I.D. column). A rate-based model of the reactive distillation column was developed. Validation based on pilot plant tests proved that the model accuracy is satisfactory. Simulations performed with the validated software revealed the influence of reflux ratio (RR), distillate-to-feed (D/F) ratio, feed composition and packing height on the process conversion and selectivity. Two Multipak ® types were compared with two KATAPAK-S ® packing versions for different RR and D/F ratios. The significance of the pre-reactor was examined.