Steady-state simulation and integrated optimization of reactive distillation for methyl acetate hydrolysis

For recovery process of methyl acetate hydrolysis, this paper simulated process and designed integrated optimization by using Aspen Plus software. Firstly, analyses of thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the hydrolysis process were given. Secondly, the paper established steady-state process simulation structure of hydrolysis process and verified the accuracy of steady-state results. Then it used sequential optimization method to optimize process structure and operation parameters at the aim of achieving minimum production cost. The results showed that operating condition was the best and production cost was the lowest after optimization.