Intensification of Isoamyl Acetate Synthesis: Assessing Reactive Chromatography as an Alternative to Conventional Methods

Abstract

Equilibrium constraints often limit conversion in esterification reactions; nevertheless, in situ product separation can drive the reaction forward, increasing process conversion and economics. Reactive chromatography (RC) combines reaction and separation in behavior, where conventional distillation is difficult. The present work explores the use of RC to synthesize isoamyl acetate via esterification of isoamyl alcohol with acetic acid in a fixed-bed chromatographic reactor (FBCR) packed with Amberlyst-15 resin. The reaction kinetics were modeled using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson model. Two approaches to reaction kinetics were used to account for nonideal behavior: one based on concentrations and the other on species activities. Residence time distribution analysis was used to evaluate the bed’s axial dispersion and porosity, followed by reactive runs using the same FBCR setup. Breakthrough and binary adsorption data were modeled using the equilibrium dispersion model with a reaction term and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm to obtain adsorption parameters. These parameters were further confirmed through nonreactive binary adsorption experiments. Reactive breakthrough curves under experimental conditions confirm the feasibility of RC in isoamyl acetate production. The FBCR model, which combines the computed kinetic and adsorption parameters, accurately predicts breakthrough behavior and reactor performance. These findings provide a preliminary basis for exploring the upscaling of RC through simulated moving-bed reactors, emphasizing its potential as an alternative to conventional batch processes.