Multiplicity Analysis in Reactive Distillation Column Using ASPEN PLUS

Reactive distillation processes for synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) were modeled with the simulation package ASPEN PLUS. The input multiplicity and output multiplicity were discussed with the method of sensitivity analysis for both cases. In EG production process, steady state multiplicities were studied in terms of effective liquid holdup volume and boil-up ratio. In ETBE synthesis process, the user kinetic subroutine was supplied into ASPEN PLUS firstly, and then the composition, temperature and reaction-rate profiles within the reactive distillation column were presented in detail. A set of stable solution branches based on distinct initial guesses for a range of boil-up ratio were found in EG synthesis. Input multiplicities were observed for a range of reboiler duty at several values of reflux ratio for ETBE synthesis process. These results can be used to avoid excessive energy consumption and achieve optimum design of reactive distillation column.