An equilibrium stage model was developed for the simulation of the catalytic distillation process of methyl acetate (MeOAc) hydrolysis. In the model, the influences of the reactive kinetics, residence-time, liquid holdup, and separation efficiency of the catalytic packing were considered. The model predicted the conversion of MeOAc and the mass ratio of acetic acid to water in the hydrolysis mixture. The predictions were in good agreement with experimental data. A novel process was designed based on the results of theoretic analysis and the simulation research. This new process had a higher conversion of MeOAc compared with the results in previous research and was found to be energy efficient. Optimal effect parameters and design factors of new technology on energy consumption and conversion were also determined and summarized as the following: the position of side draw is 18th to 19th stages, the catalytic distillation (CD) column pressure is at 350 kPa, the volume ratio of reflux to feed is 6-8, mole ratio of feed water to MeOAc is 3.5-4.5, and the mass ratio of side withdrawal to feed is 0.32-0.34. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.