Diethyl succinate synthesis by reactive distillation

Abstract: Diethyl succinate is continuously produced from succinic acid and ethanol in a 6-m tall, elevated pressure reactive distillation column. Esterification is carried out in excess ethanol such that water and ethanol are produced in the distillate and diethyl succinate is produced in the bottoms stream. The reaction is catalyzed by Amberlyst 70 cation exchange resin contained in KATAPAK SP-11® structured packing within the stainless steel column. Succinic acid conversions approaching 100%, and diethyl succinate yields of up to 98% have been experimentally achieved in the lab scale column. The esterification process has been simulated using the Radfrac module in Aspen Plus®. Simulations used reaction kinetic and phase equilibrium data collected in our laboratory to predict the steady state stream compositions from the column. Good agreement between experimental and simulation results was observed, thus facilitating the use of the model for design and scale up of the reactive distillation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]