The process of reactive distillation

Extract

[...] The results of the batch reactive distillation shows that the considerable amount of reaction equilibrium was shifted to obtain better conversion of Lactic acid. The best conversion of more than 95.15 %was obtained with reactant mole ratio 1.5 the increased conversions are obtained by continuous removal of the water formed during the reaction through the separating column connected with a condenser and collector. The increase in concentration of the solution with addition of catalyst or without addition of catalyst increases the volume of water collected. [...]

[...] If reactive distillation is applied to exothermic reaction, the reaction heat can be used for the vaporization of liquid. This leads to savings of costs by the reduction of reboiler duties. Improved conversions of reactant approaching 100%. This increase in conversion gives a benefit in reduced recycle costs. Improved Selectivity: Removing one of the products from the reaction mixture or maintaining a low concentration of one of the reagent can lead to reduction of the rates of side reactions and hence improved selectivity for the desired products. [...]

[...] CH3CHOHCOOH + C2H5CH2CH2CHOH ( CH3CHOHCOOC4H+H20 For the above reaction the law of mass action is given by [CH3CHOHCOOC4H]+[H20] K = CH3CHOHCOOH + C2H5CH2CH2CHOH The important limitation of reactive distillation is that the volatilities of the components should be favorable. Water can be removed simultaneously during the course of reaction so that reaction is shifted in the forward direction and conversion of butyl lactate can be enhanced CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS USED Lactic acid n-Butanol of 99% Purity (Merk) Dry cation exchange resin Amberlite IR-120 purchased from LUBA chemicals Pvt Ltd, used as solid catalyst. [...]

[...] LITERARURE REVIEW 2.0 Reactive Distillation of Lactic acid: J.L.Choi & W.H.Hong [1999] reported that batch distillation of lactic acid with the simulation reactions was studied. Lactic acid was reacted with methanol, and methyl lactate was produced by the esterification reaction. The volatile methyl lactate was distilled simultaneously with the hydrolysis reaction into lactic acid. To recover pure lactic acid through two reactions and distillation, batch distillation system consisted of two condensers, feed vessel, and reboiler was studied. For both reactions of esterification and hydrolysis, the acidic cation exchange resin was used as a solid catalyst. [...]

[...] EFFECT OF TEMP 1:1 MOLE RATIO WITHOUT CATALST IN SIMPLE DISTILLATION Reactive Distillation of Lactic acid with Butanol The experiments were carried out by using butanol (moleratio 1.5 ) as reactive entrainer and observed the variation of FLA, TLA and PLA contents in the residue samples with various time intervals. Fig ( 4.3 to 4.14 ) shows the above said variations. Using butanol, it is evident from fig that the PLA formation in the residue started at same time of 80 min as in case of simple distillation but the water removal rate is rapid than the case of simple distillation By the time the poly lactic acid started forming 60% of initial water has been removed. [...]