Evaluation of the Aldol Condensation of Propionaldehyde as a Reactive Dividing Wall Column Test System

Abstract

As a preliminary step in the development of a reactive dividing wall distillation process, a reactive distillation experimental and modeling effort was conducted. A novel aldol condensation process was chosen to demonstrate many of the complex behaviors associated with industrial chemical systems. The first portion of the experimental program was focused on determining the phase equilibria and reaction kinetics of the chemical system. Next, a laboratory scale reactive distillation column (RDC) was built and tested. Finally, a steady-state model of the RDC was developed. Through these accomplishments, this work provided a roadmap to use the tools of laboratory scale experimentation and modeling to evaluate the commercial potential of a reactive dividing wall column process.

Design of Reaction Region of Reactive Dividing Wall Column Based on Cross-Wall Heat Transfer

“…It has a high conversion rate, low energy consumption, and low capital investment cost. 9 Thus, it has become a research focus in this field. The rapid development of reactive distillation technology and DWC distillation technology lays a foundation for the industrial application of RDWCs.…”

“…The reactive dividing wall column (RDWC) is an application that couples dividing wall distillation technology with reactive distillation technology. It has a high conversion rate, low energy consumption, and low capital investment cost . Thus, it has become a research focus in this field.…”