Triethyl Citrate Synthesis by Reactive Distillation

摘要: A continuous reactive distillation process is proposed for the synthesis of triethyl citrate from citric acid and ethanol in presence macroporous Amberlyst 15 ion-exchange resin catalyst. The design, developed using ASPEN Plus simulation software, based on laboratory kinetic thermodynamic studies pilot-scale experiments. Pilot-scale experiments were carried out a 5-m glass column; catalyst effectiveness was then determined user-written reaction module activity coefficients. Because esterification kinetics are slow, complete conversion could not be obtained column. Using parameters column experiment, design to completely convert out. Optimum performance occurs at low reflux ratios (L/D < 0.1) avoi...