Reactive distillation (RD) is a process intensification technique that offers major advantages over conventional technologies by enabling the integration of reaction and separation into a single apparatus. This integration introduces and exploits complex interaction between mass transfer, chemical reaction and hydrodynamics within an RD column; however, these complexities can hinder the adoption of RD by industry. Many approaches have been developed by the scientific community to advance understanding and to expedite the initialization of RD design at the conceptual level. This paper critically discusses recent developments in conceptual methods for synthesizing RD processes. This review paper is the first to consider the range of available approaches for assessing the technical feasibility, controllability, economic viability, and sustainability of RD units by taking into account various configurations in which RD is treated as a new unit operation, and as part of process synthesis in a different way of designing processes based on functions. The review also addresses complex configurations, such as advanced RD technologies. Special attention is paid to process modeling and simulation as well as to education. Knowledge gaps to be filled by further research are indicated.

"Product and process design - driving sustainable innovation" is the 2nd edition of a comprehensive textbook for product and process design courses at BSc, MSc, EngD, and PhD level. It covers both heuristics based design methods as well as systems engineering approaches. It contains specific methods to co-design products and processes, so that both designs are better than when these designs are made separately. This integrated combination makes the book unique. For making designs that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations specific methods are provided for the People, Planet, and Prosperity dimensions. This second edition of the book includes examples and exercises for each design method, which makes it very suitable for teaching purposes. The book is furthermore of interest to industrial process and product developers for many industry branches as it provides methods for design, modelling, and experimental validation for each innovation stage. It is also very useful for R&D managers as it provides guidelines for essential activities in each innovation stage (discovery, concept, feasibility, development, detailed engineering), leading to successful implementations of new processes and new products. Includes a major revision of all chapters with more examples and exercises and interactive options via website for quizzes. Provides training in process technology, sustainability, process design, scale-up and intensification.