| Abstract: | The transesterification of methyl myristate with isopropanol to methanol and isopropyl myristate is presented. This reactive system is suitable for reactive distillation and is used for the investigation carried out in this paper. A simulation model for the steady state and dynamic simulation of the reactive distillation processes was developed. For the validation of this model experiments were carried out. Based on dimensioning calculations, a 6 meter high reactive distillation column (0.1 m i.d.) with 22 bubble cap trays and a total liquid holdup of about 10 litres was constructed and built up. The stationary results obtained from the column show a good comparison between the simulated and the experimental concentration and temperature profiles. The experimentally determined dynamic time constants and sensitivities of the temperature profile of the column could be reproduced very well by the simulation tool developed. |
