Irreversible Reaction with Heavy Product

The ethylene glycol reactive distillation system is an example of a reactive distillation system with two reactants that are consumed in a fast and irreversible reaction 

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We consider the system of a gas-phase reactor and a condenser shown in Figure 4.1. The reactant A is fed at a molar flow rate Fo to the reactor, where a first-order irreversible reaction A —> B takes place with a reaction rate constant k. The reactor outlet stream is fed to a partial condenser that separates the light unconverted reactant A from the heavy product B. The gas phase, rich in A, is recycled to the reactor. A volatile inert impurity I is present in the feed stream in small quantities and a (small) purge stream P is used to prevent its accumulation in the recycle loop. 

Some solvents containing heavy atoms can induce enhancement of phosphorescence at the expense of fluorescence, e.g. ethyl iodide, nitro-methane, CS2 (external heavy atom effect). Irreversible conversion to ionic or radical products is often observed. Hence the system changes with time and the process should be classed a photochemical reaction distinct from the reversible quenching reactions discussed above. For example for anthracene and carbon tetrachloride ... 

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