Mathematical Modeling and Simulation for Production of MTBE

Chapter Two Literature Survey
2.4 THE STAGE MODELS:
A reactive distillation problem can be studied using different approaches
including: feasibility, simulation, modeling, design and experimental studies in
the laboratory and the pilot plant. A combination of all of these methods gives
rise to the most accurate solution to the problem. One very important aspect of
predicting the behavior in these systems is the model used to design and simulate
the reactive distillation process. An effective way of decomposing the modeling
aspects of reactive distillation involves the following classification of the models
existing for distillation with reaction (Baur, 2000):
I. Steady-state equilibrium stage model.
II. Dynamic equilibrium stage model.
III. Steady-state non-equilibrium stage model;
IV. Dynamic non-equilibrium stage model;
V. Steady-state non-equilibrium cell model, that accounts for staging of the
vapor and liquid phases inside the column.
Two primary approaches available in the literature for modeling reactive
distillation columns will be taken up .
I. Equilibrium stage model.
II. Non-equilibrium stage model.
Much more popular have been the models incorporating phase equilibrium,
while taking into account finite reaction rates. (Nelson,1971; Suzuki et al.,1971;
Carra et al. 1979; Alejski et al. 1988; Chang and Seader, 1988; Aljeski, et al.
1991; Simandl and svrecek,1991; Ciric and Gu, 1994; Abufares and Douglas,
1995; Perez-Cesneros et al.,1997). The models presented in all of these papers
are more or less the same.
They incorporate a set of liquid and vapor mass balances along with
equilibrium correlations for the vapor liquid equilibrium calculation. The
reaction is normally tackled by implement a kinetics expression into the liquid
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