Optimal　design　is　a　three-step　process,　including　feasibility　analysis,　synthesis　analysis　and　design　step,　The　final　results　could　then　be　considered　as　an　initial　value　for　the　further　design.　The　process　could　screen　several　kinds　of　column　configuration,　determine　the　corresponding　optimal　configuration　and　operation　parameters.　The　method　proposed　in　this　work　provided　important　reference　for　the　optimal　design　of　catalytic　distillation　column　for　the　hydrolysis　of　methyl　acetate.