Rate-based analysis of reactive distillation sequences with different degrees of integration

In this work, reactive distillation sequences with different degrees of integration are investigated with the aim to identify the optimal configuration. Such integration includes the combination of both unit operations, reaction and distillation, as well as the combination of distillation columns within one unit. For rapid determination of required design parameters, a special two-step approach based on the decomposition method is developed. As a test system, the transesterification of carbonates is chosen, and three promising configurations with increasing integration degree are identified. These configurations comprise two different combinations of single non-reactive and reactive distillation columns as well as a highly integrated reactive dividing wall column. Their analysis shows that the unit integration leads to significant savings in energy consumption and production costs.