Control of Reactive Distillation Column

Reactive distillation is a process ofsimultaneous reaction and distillation in a single unit
in which the reactant and products are continuously separated from the liquid reaction
phase into nonreactive vapor phase. In this project, a developed steady-state model of
reactive distillation is simulated and modify into dynamic-state model. The dynamic-state
model can be used to study the behavior of the column. The reaction involves in this
study is a reversible reaction, i.e., esterification of acetic acid and ethanol into ethyl
acetate and water. One ofthe reactant is fed in excess to shift the reaction equilibrium to
the right. The open loop step change was performed to study the dynamic effects of
changing column parameters towards the compositions profile for distillate and bottom.
The result obtained was used todetermine the initial controller settings which then can be
furthered optimized. Feedback controller is applied to the column using proportional and
integral action to counter the disturbance.
In the course of applying the feedback controllers, interaction between the possible
control loops was studied to identify the best control strategy. From the simulation
performed, the control strategy applied seems to provide stable response. From the
examination of complete simulation, the model works within the reactive distillation
process basis principles. The approach and results from this project is essential for further
study involving more complex and rigorous model ofreactive distillation process.