CATALYTIC DISTILLATION STRUCTURE

摘要

The present invention provides catalytic distillation structures which are useful in the concurrent reaction and distillation of a reaction mixture. The distillation structures are provided as rigid containers having a volume substantially smaller than the volume of conventional distillation column reactors. The catalyst component is loaded into the containers and the containers closed. Openings are provided to allow vapor and liquid passage into and out of the containers. The surfaces of the containers provide the necessary/vapor liquid contact surfaces for the distillation. The rigidity of the containers provides for spacing the structures and the necessary free space for the distillation.