On the multiple solutions of the reactive distillation column for production of fuel ethers

• Reactive distillation separations for fuel ethers present input and input–output multiplicities.
• Presence of multiple solutions are affected for reflux ratio, reboiler duty and thermal condition.
• Vapor–liquid stream in the feed has a major influence on the occurrence of multiplicities.

A systematic study of the operating conditions and parameter sensibility of multiple steady states in a reactive distillation column for production of fuel ethers is presented. The multiplicity analysis is performed using bifurcation diagrams for several scenarios using the process simulator Aspen One Aspen Plus. Our results indicate that the main variables that affect both the presence and behavior of multiple solutions in the reactive distillation column are the reflux ratio, the reboiler duty and the thermal condition in the feed stream. In particular, we have determined that the vapor–liquid stream in the feed has a major influence on the occurrence of this phenomenon and this parameter especially establishes the type of multiplicity that can occur in the reactive distillation column for production of fuel ethers.