STEP-BY-STEP CALCULATION OF REACTIVE EXTRACTION CASCADES APPLYING THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL STEP-BY-STEP CALCULATION OF REACTIVE EXTRACTION CASCADES APPLYING THE EQUILIBRIUM MODEL

Resumen

This paper presents a step-by-step calculation algorithm for reactive extraction cascade simulation. The theoretical basis is taken from reactive liquid-liquid equilibrium thermodynamics. This method can be applied to parallel, countercurrent, and cross-current arrangements, operating with the most important practical specifications: splitting of solvent and feed streams, location of reaction zone, choice of feed points, and specification of transferred heat flow. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, reactive extraction technological schemes for the synthesis of n-amyl acetate from aqueous acetic acid solutions were simulated. Although the examples are designed to prove algorithm adequacy, it was also found that the n-amyl acetate production by reactive extraction has strong limitations on conversion and separation. In addition, it is not an interesting alternative to increase the economic value of acetic acid and water streams.