| Abstract
| - The paper presents a parametric study for the design of a reactive distillation column used to recover aceticacid from dilute aqueous solution (30% w/w) through the formation of methyl acetate. The parameters suchas feed molar ratio, feed location, reflux ratio, and reboil ratio are varied by a one-parameter continuationmethod, and the best possible configuration is suggested. Close to quantitative recovery may be obtained bya proper choice of parameters, and reactive distillation can be successfully used for the recovery process. Anexperimental support is provided to the recommended configuration. The system is highly nonlinear, andsolution multiplicity is realized in a certain parametric space. Apart from input parameters, a possible role ofmodeling assumptions, kinetics, and phase equilibrium models on multiplicity has been discussed.
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