An industrial experiment for n-butyl acetate synthesis by catalytic distillation

An industrial device for n-butyl acetate synthesis was constructed with strong acidic ion-exchange resin as catalyst,acetic acid and n-butanol as starting materials.The process was carried out in a continuous pilot plant reactive rectification column with structured packing in the upper part and stereo reactive distillation tray in the lower part.The optimal operation conditions were obtained with 0.6—0.8 reflux ratio of organic phase,3.3—4.3 reflux ratio and 30%—50% acetate acid concentration in the column,under which 84%—90% n-butyl acetate concentration on the column to could be achieved with acetate acid concentration less than 0.003%.Such a catalytic distillation process could be long-term continuously operated steadily with a 5kt n-butyl acetate annual production capacity.