Investigation about Energy Saving for Synthesis of Isobutyl Acetate in the Reactive Dividing-Wall Column

Abstract

The reaction kinetic and chemical equilibrium for the production of isobutyl acetate via transesterification between methyl acetate and isobutanol is investigated as the presence of catalyst Amberlyst-15. The experimental kinetic parameters are obtained by the application of the Arrhenius equation. The novel reactive dividing-wall distillation process for production of isobutyl acetate via transesterification is proposed on the basis of a conventional reactive distillation process. The reactive dividing-wall distillation process is simulated and investigated for saving more energy and reducing the total annual cost (TAC) of the process. The energy consumption and the TAC of the reactive dividing-wall distillation process can be reduced by 26.40% and 18.25%, respectively, in comparison with the conventional RD process.