Quantitative metrics for evaluating reactive cyclic distillation performance

In this study, the performance of reactive cyclic distillation processes is analysed and quantified with respect to changes in the reflux, boilup and cycle time. To evaluate the performance, three quantitative metrics or performance indicators are defined. These are: the total production over a cycle, the distance to chemical equilibrium after a vapour flow period and the mean Damköhler number over a cycle.

Three different reactive cyclic distillation cases have been chosen for the presented analysis. These processes are the dimethyl ether, the methyl acetate and the methyl tert-butyl ether reactive distillation cases. It is shown that the distance from equilibrium did not significantly affect the performance of reactive cyclic distillation.

However, it can indicate whether a reaction is fast enough to assume chemical equilibrium within the duration of the cycle or not. The duration of the vapour flow period was shown to have a significant effect on the stage and column performance. It is further shown that the Damköhler number over a cycle could be a good candidate for a suitable indicator for whether the reactive cyclic distillation is viable or not.