Modeling of a pilot-scale fixed-bed reactor for dehydration of 2,3-butanediol to 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone

Abstract

A 1D heterogeneous reactor model accounting for interfacial and intra-particle gradients was developed to simulate the dehydration of 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) to 1,3-Butadiene (1,3-BD) and Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) over an amorphous calcium phosphate (a-CP) catalyst in a pilot-scale fixed-bed reactor. The developed model was validated with experimental data in terms of a fluid temperature profile along with the length of the catalyst bed, 2,3-BDO conversion, and selectivity for the major products, 1,3-BD and MEK, at the outlet of the reactor. The fluid temperature profile obtained from the model along the length of the catalyst bed coincides satisfactorily with the experimental observations. The difference between the experimental data and the 1D heterogeneous reactor model prediction for 2,3-BDO conversion and selectivity of 1,3-BD and MEK were 0.1%, 9 wt %, and 2 wt %, respectively. In addition, valuable insights related to the feeding system of a commercial-scale plant were made through troubleshooting of the pilot tests. Notably, if the feed including only 2,3-BDO and furnaces that increase the temperature of the feed to the reaction temperature were used in a commercial plant, the feeding system could not be operational because of the presence of heavy chemicals considered oligomers of 2,3-BDO.