Study on preparation of chlorocyclohexane by coupling of reactor and distillation tower

An experimental reactive distillation tower, coupled by gas-liquid bubbling reactors with distillation tower, was set up for preparation of chlorocyclohexane by chlorination of cyclohexane. Distributions of concentration and temperature in reactive distillation tower were measured, and effect of reflux rate and chlorine feed rate on reactive distillation was studied. Side reactions could be well inhibited when mole fraction of chlorocyclohexane at the interface of reaction zone and distillation zone was controlled to lower than 20%. Under suitable operational condition, steady conversion of cyclohexane and yield of chlorocyclohexane could be obtained > 99 and 90%, respectively. The process could serve as reference for design of a commercial plant.