No abstract

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the esterification of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids using a batch reactor are described in this study. The effect of relevant factors on ester conversion, such as reaction temperature, dose of sulfuric acid as a catalyst and methanol/free fatty acids (FFAs) (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid) mole ratios are studied. The results show that the maximum conversion of oleic and linoleic acids was 88% at 40:1 methanol/FFAs molar ratio, temperature of 68°C, catalyst 2 wt% of FFAs and reaction time of 30 min. A pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was proposed for the esterification. The effect of temperature on the rate constants is represented by Arrhenius equation, and the activation energy was found to be 13·35, 43·42 and 45·51 kJ/mol for linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters including ΔG, ΔS and ΔH were determined. Thermodynamic studies have revealed that the reaction was a non-spontaneous and endothermic one.

The kinetics of the esterification of oleic and linoleic acids using a batch reactor are described in this study. Effect of relevant factors on ester conversion, such as reaction temperature, dose of sulphuric acid as a catalyst, and methanol/FFAs (oleic and linoleic acid) mole ratios are studied. The results showed that the maximum conversion of oleic and linoleic were 88% at 40:1 methanol/FFA molar ratio at 68°C, catalyst 2 wt. % of FFA and reaction time 30 min. A pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was proposed for the esterification. The influence of Temperature on the rate constants is presented by Arrhenius equation, and the activation energies were found to be 43.42 and 45.51 kJ/mol for linoleic and oleic acid, respectively.