Equation-Oriented Framework for Optimal Synthesis of Integrated Reactive Distillation Systems for Fischer Tropsch Processes

To explore reactive distillation (RD) for Fischer Tropsch synthesis (FTS), we develop a steady-state adiabatic RD model for this system. Here, the calculation of the vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) through cubic equation of state is used to describe the phase behavior. Rate expressions for the FT and the water gas shift reactions are expressed in terms of fugacities and product selectivity of catalysts are based on Anderson Schulz Flory distribution and experimental data. Next, a mass, equilibrium, summation, and heat model is extended by considering bypass streams for nonreactive trays and is used to integrate column structure blocks. A step-by-step initialization procedure is proposed to accommodate the complexity of the RD column and the high nonlinearity. This includes case studies of operating variables in a reactive flash model prepared for performance optimization of RD. Finally, a typical low-temperature FT process, which favors diesel production is implemented in the RD model. Comparing the RD for FTS against conventional slurry reactors, we provide results that show that RD has a potential edge in industrial processes.