Simulation of Methanol Carbonylation Reactor in Acetic Acid Production Plant: Selection of an Appropriate Correlation for Mass Transfer Coefficients

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with mathematical modeling and simulation of methanol carbonylation reactor in acetic acid production plant that consisted of a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), a flash drum, a Joule-Thomson valve, and a condenser. The model was based on material and energy balances that considered liquid-gas mass transfer, thermodynamics, and reactor hydrodynamics. The most important aspect of the model was the selection of an appropriate correlation for prediction of mass transfer coefficient. Several correlations were examined and comparison of the model results with plant data indicated that the correlation reported by Lemoine was most appropriate. The simulation results were found to be in good agreement with plant data and the effects of various operating parameters on the performance of the model such as temperature of reactor from 186 °C to 183.6 °C, CH3I concentration from 3.11 mol% to 2.21 mol% and agitator rotation speed from 62 rpm to 112 rpm were investigated.