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Thermodynamic equilibrium in the vapor phase esterification of Acetic acid with ethanol

1968; Wiley; Volume: 14; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/aic.690140412

1547-5905

Russell W. Hawes, Robert L. Kabel,

Process Optimization and Integration

Abstract A study of vapor‐phase equilibrium in the reaction system acetic acid‐ethanol–ethyl acetate‐water has been made including an evaluation of past investigations, a calculation of equilibrium constants from thermal data, and new experimental determinations utilizing gas chromatography in a novel method. It was found that the magnitude of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant and its true variation with temperature are appreciably different than previously indicated. This is due to the failure of earlier workers to adequately account for competing reactions, primarily the dehydration of ethanol to ethyl ether. Equilibrium constants were obtained at 100, 120.8, and 170°C. for the ethanol dehydration reaction. Equilibrium positions of the esterification reaction have been determined accurately at the same three temperatures, however the corresponding values of the thermodynamic equilibrium constant remain imperfectly specified because of uncertainty concerning the acetic acid association equilibrium.