Catalytic distillation
Catalytic distillation is a branch of
Catalysts
The
The shapes which the catalysts are packed onto must be able to form a consistent geometric arrangement to provide equal spacing in the catalyst bed (an area in the
Before the catalysts are packed onto the shape, they are first packed onto something porous like a cloth or wire mesh. The cloth may be made from cotton, fiberglass, polyester, nylon, or other similar materials. The mesh is generally made from aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.[5]
In terms of shapes, catalysts are usually packed on rings, saddles, balls, sheets, tubes, or spirals. These shapes tend to be made from fiberglass, teflon, and nonreactive metals. Before the catalysts are introduced into the system, they are either bagged, attached on metal grills or screens, or placed on polymer foams.[6]
Process
Within the catalytic distillation column, liquid
Reflux
In most reactions carried out by catalytic distillation, the
Types of Reactions
Reactions within catalytic distillation columns include:[10]
- with weak or strong bonds.
- polymerization - forming a three dimensional molecule from multiple monomers.
- etherification - forming a molecule by bonding two CHn groups (alkane) around an oxygen atom.
- hydroxyl) containing molecule.
- isomerization - changing the structure of a molecule without changing its individual elements and their respective quantities.
- alkylation - transferring a CHn group from one molecule to another.
- hydrogenation - adding hydrogen atoms to a molecule.
- dehydrogenation - separating hydrogen atoms from a molecule.
Improvements from two column distillation
In two column distillation, the obtaining the desired product calls for a column for catalysis and then a column for distillation. This means that the distillation company would have to fund the construction of two large columns as well as a method for transporting the contents of one column to another. With catalytic distillation, the company only needs to fund one column which eliminates both the cost for a second column and the cost to move chemicals from one column to another. This optimization cuts overhead costs to nearly half the original cost.[11]
In addition to cutting costs, catalytic distillation is a milestone in efficiency and efficacy. Less time is spent because it is not necessary to move the contents from column to another. Also, the
References
- ^ Hoffman, Achim. "Scale-up of Reactive Distillation Columns with Catalytic Packings" (PDF).
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Process Patent".
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Process Patent".
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Structure".
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Structure".
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Process Patent".
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Process Patent".
- ISBN 9780852953938.
- ^ Gildert, Gary. "Advances In Process Technology Through Catalytic Distillation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ Smith Jr, Lawrence A. "Catalytic Distillation Structure Patent".
- ^ Gildert, Gary. "Advances In Process Technology Through Catalytic Distillation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ Gildert, Gary. "Advances In Process Technology Through Catalytic Distillation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2012-02-14.