Table 5 Process design parameters for different processes using purolite C160 catalyst for esterification of glycerol to product TA.
Conventional process | RD process | |
|---|---|---|
Overall acetic acid to glycerol molar ratio | 6:1 | 3:1 |
TA purity (wt%) | 52.77 | 99.00 |
Glycerol conversion (%) | 98.31 | 99.20 |
TA selectivity (%) | 63.93 | 99.41 |
1 st reactor (R-101) | 32.74 | - |
2nd reactor (R-301) | 87.56 | - |
Reactive distillation (kW) | −1,032/1,367 | |
1 st distillation column (C-201) | −1,365/1,557 | - |
2nd distillation column (C-401) | −1,997/2,123 | - |
Preheat for 1 st reactor (E-101) | 671 | - |
Preheat for 2nd reactor (E-301) | 675 | - |
Acetic acid recovery distillation (C-501) | −235/422 | − 164/198 |
