Aspects of simulation, design and analysis of reactive distillation operations

Various aspects related to simulation, design and operation of reactive distillation processes are presented through a systematic analysis of the model parameters and the important design/operational variables. The need for reliable, versatile and consistent simulation tools that allow the analysis of design/operation of reactive distillation processes are highlighted through two well known examples. The model parameters for the estimation of the properties related to physical and chemical equilibrium have been found to be highly sensitive to the design and operation of the two systems studied. The reactive phase diagrams and the existence of reactive azeotropes have been found to influence the choice of the condition of operation and the existence of multiple solutions.