Application of zeolite membranes to esterification reactions

Pervaporation-aided esterification of acetic acid with ethanol was investigated at 343 K using zeolite T membranes. Almost complete conversion was reached within 8 h when initial molar ratios of alcohol to acetic acid were 1.5 and 2. The reaction time courses were well described by a simple model based on the assumptions that the reaction obeyed second-order kinetics and the permeation flux of each component was proportional to its concentration. The influence of operating parameters on variation in conversion with reaction time was investigated by means of the simulation using the model. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.