Microreactor x millireactor: Experimental performance in the epoxidation of soybean oil

Epoxidation of Vegetable Oils via the Prilezhaev Reaction Method: A Review of the Transition from Batch to Continuous Processes

“…Concerning the epoxidation and the ringopening reactions, the activation energy ranges are between 25−50 and 55−104 kJ/mol, respectively. 120,124,141,152,173,179 As widely discussed above, the side reactions which impair the epoxide yield are the main bottleneck of the epoxidation process. These side reactions take place mainly at the interface 6,120,123,[130][131][132][150][151][152]180 and they are acid catalyzed.…”

“…Recently, Olivieri et al 179 conducted the soybean oil epoxidation via the Prilezhaev method in both micro-and millireactors. Double bond conversion and epoxide selectivity of 84 and 77%, respectively, were obtained in the microreactor with a residence time of 12 min only.…”

“…Starting from the percarboxylic acid formation and decomposition, and considering formic acid first, the activation energy ranges between 20–75 and 73–105 kJ/mol, respectively. ,,,, For acetic acid, the activation energy ranges are 15–60 and 58–95 kJ/mol, respectively. − These values have been obtained in independent studies concerning the percarboxylic acid formation and decomposition in either autocatalytic mode or catalyzed experiments with either homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. Concerning the epoxidation and the ring-opening reactions, the activation energy ranges are between 25–50 and 55–104 kJ/mol, respectively. ,,,,, …”

“…Other continuous reaction configurations have been proposed along the years. One example is related to the use of microreactors. ,,,− As for the rotor–stator spinning disc reactor, the hydrodynamic cavitation and the use of electromagnetic waves, namely ultrasound and microwaves, the microreactors were engineered with the aim to intensify chemical processes. The advantages of these inventions are the rapid mixing and efficient heat transfer thanks to the high surface-to-volume ratio the as well as the lower investment and operation costs.…”