DefinePK

Abstract

The modeling, simulation, and optimization of the reactive distillation esterification process used for the production of methyl acetate have been carried out in this work with the aid of Aspen PLUS. The Aspen PLUS reactive distillation process model was developed and simulated using Rad Frac packed column, the rectification and the stripping sections of which was filled with Raschig Type packing of dimension 25 mm and the reaction section of which was filled with Sigma Type packing material of 10 mm dimension. In addition, Non-Random Two-Liquid property method, volumetric feed rates of both acetic acid and methanol of 0.03 L/min, feed temperature and pressure of 25 oC and 1 atm respectively were used. The optimization of the process was accomplished using the Optimization Section of Model Analysis Tools of Aspen PLUS. The good convergence obtained from the simulation of the developed Aspen PLUS model of the reactive distillation process has shown the versatility of Aspen PLUS in successfully representing the behavior of the complex reactive distillation process used for methyl acetate production. Furthermore, the achievement of the value of the objective function given by the optimization of the process when the estimated optimum values of reflux ratio and reboiler duty were used to run the developed model revealed that the optimum values obtained from Aspen PLUS were valid ones.