During the last five years, there has been increasing interest in conceptual design methods for reactive distillation. Systems at chemical equilibrium are well understood and there is now increasing emphasis on systematic design methods for chemistries and processes that operate at finite rates of reaction. In this article we survey the available design techniques, with emphasis on geometric methods, and point out opportunities for further research. We use the techniques to develop a realistic conceptual design of a reactive distillation column to produce methyl acetate.