The influence of transport limitations on kinetic instabilities in heterogeneously catalyzed reactive distillation processes is analyzed by means of two different mathematical models with finite and infinite transport rates inside the porous catalyst. Different system configurations, such as a single catalyst pellet, an isothermal CSTR, and one-tray, multi-tray as well as packed reactive distillation columns are considered. This procedure allows detailed insight into the different sources and mechanisms leading to complex nonlinear behavior in catalytic distillation columns. As an example the well-known MTBE process is considered. In contrast to previous studies, focus is on the kinetic regime of the chemical reaction at column pressures of 6-7 bar.