Operating windows for early evaluation of the applicability of advanced reactive distillation technologies

Advanced reactive distillation technologies (ARDT) are often overlooked during process synthesis due to their complexity. This work proposes the use of operating windows with additional features identify suitable limits for ARDT. Data needed construct thermodynamic properties, kinetic parameters, constraints materials and experimental methods, heuristics. In addition, two new concepts proposed represent complex features: representative components a sliding window. Results include identification ARDT help assess feasibility early in design. The approach is demonstrated by case studies. Methyl acetate production can be carried out at low pressures (0.5–3.6 atm), while lactic acid purification requires vacuum conditions (0.3–0.8 atm) avoid thermal degradation. Tert-amyl methyl ether was evaluated scenarios where effect side reactions evidenced reduction reaction window temperature favour main over reaction. study first evaluate advanced using graphical representation an aid synthesis, results provide key selection insights.