Reaction Distillation with Ion Exchangers

Abstract
This paper studies batch distillation with reaction esterification of acetic acid and ethanol. The experimental investigation was carried out at atmospheric pressure in a column packed with ion exchanger Amberlite-120. The mathematical model was established by introducing reaction functions in material and enthalpy balance equations. The results obtained for the startup and product periods show advantages for reaction distillation with ion-exchange catalysis. A clean product is obtained, and there is no problem of wastewater or corrosion.