Reactive distillation technology

Abstract

Reactive distillation (RD) processes integrate reaction and distillation, the reactants being converted with the simultaneous separation of the products. This chapter describes the use of reactive distillation technology to produce biodiesel by esterification of free fatty acids, or trans-esterification of various oils (triglycerides). An overview of the reported experimental and simulation studies is provided, covering also the process design, dynamics and control, as well as more complex RD configurations based on dividing-wall column technology.