KINETICS OF ACETIC-ACID ESTERIFICATION OVER ION-EXCHANGE CATALYSTS

Computer simulation showed that catalytic distillation is an attractiv e process for the removal of dilute acetic acid from wastewater. Selec tion of catalysts and kinetic data have been obtained for the design o f the catalytic distillation column. Kinetic measurements were conduct ed in a batch reactor. Methanol was added to the dilute acetic acid so lutions and reacted with the acid in water to form methyl acetate and water. The reaction can be catalyzed by solid acid catalysts. It was f ound that Amberlyst 15 was an effective catalyst for this reaction. Th e effects of stirrer speed, reaction temperature, reactant concentrati on and catalyst loading on reaction rate were investigated. A complete kinetic equation for describing the reaction catalyzed by Amberlyst 1 5 was developed. This equation can be used in the simulation and desig n of the catalytic distillation column for removing acetic acid from w astewater.