Determination of the Minimum Catalyst Amount in the Design of Catalytic Distillation Columns

This paper presents a method to determine the minimum amount of catalyst needed operate heterogeneously catalyzed reactive distillation column based on kinetic and VLE data only, avoiding rigorous simulations. Good initial estimates for loadings are rarely discussed, shortcut methods lacking. The described determines highest possible reaction rate using known kinetics stage temperatures obtained from ternary diagrams top bottom sections, neglecting or lowest boiler column, respectively. was validated against several literature cases. From these cases, it could be determined that conservative estimate in early design phase is six times found described. Additionally, presented provides information regarding operability example, related deactivation.