Eco-Balance Assessment of Ionic Liquids as Acid Catalysts in TransesterificationsIonic Liquids may act as homogeneous catalysts for transesterification processes. In contrast to conventional catalysts the ionic liquid may be separated after reaction and recycled. This study investigated the ecological effect of changing from sulfuric acid as catalyst to an ionic liquid. Three different eco-balance approaches have been applied. The EHS method proved to be the most suited tool to assess the ecological potential of process alternatives in the conceptual process design phase.
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