Investigating the high‐shear mixed catalytic esterification of lauric acid with methanol using central composite design

Abstract

Summary Lauric acid (LA) is the precursor of methyl laurate (ML), which is identified as a valuable large cetane number methyl ester. In this work, LA is converted via high‐shear mixing (HSM)‐assisted homogeneous acid esterification with methanol at varying reaction conditions. A central composite design (CCD) is used to investigate formally the simultaneous influence of methanol:LA ratio (2‐13 mol/mol), temperature (30°C‐60°C), mixing speed (500‐2000 rpm), catalyst mass (0.25‐4.0 g) and time (1‐12 min) on LA conversion. By combining CCD statistical results and response surface methodology, it is found that catalyst mass, methanol:LA ratio and temperature are the most influencing factors on LA conversion, while only the quadratic effects of catalyst mass and methanol:LA and three of the 10 possible two‐way linear interactions, viz., methanol:LA ratio‐catalyst mass, temperature‐time and temperature‐catalyst mass, are statistically significant. Obtained numerically, the maximum LA conversion (92%) is achieved at 60°C, 13 methanol:LA ratio, 4.0 g of catalyst, 2000 rpm and 12 min. Interestingly, assisting the said esterification by HSM results in a little mixing speed‐sensitive process with low mixing speed and reduced time operation being sufficient to conduct the reaction efficiently.

Optimization of the catalytic production of methyl stearate by applying response surface Box–Behnken design: an intensified green option for high-cetane biofuel manufacture

“…The experimental synthesis of MST was conducted in the batch mode based on the procedure reported previously. 24 …”

“…The experimental synthesis of MST was conducted in the batch mode based on the procedure reported previously. 24 (i) SA was heated at 40 °C, methanol was added, and, aerwards, the resulting mixture was heated to the required reaction temperature.…”

“…Clearly, by assisting the liquid phase esterication reaction with high shear rotor stator mixer, the reaction less mass-transfer limited the contact between reactants and catalyst is more intimate, and the liquid droplets are smaller and better dispersed, thus ultimately leading to a more efficient process. [22][23][24]46 These results are of great relevance as energy saving can be envisaged by reducing the reaction severity in time (as well as temperature and catalyst amount), which may ultimately positively impact the process economy.…”

“…An attractive alternative to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks regarding the large reaction time of conventional processes pertains to the incorporation of intensication options. 21 Recently, the application of the high-shear mixing (HSM) technology displayed promising results for intensifying the transesterication of triglycerides, 22,23 esterication of fatty acids, 24 production of azidoesteroids 25 and anionic clays, 26 respectively. Being little mass transfer restricted and requiring lower reaction severity (temperature, residence time, etc.)…”

New polymorphic phase of arachidic acid crystal: structure, intermolecular interactions, low-temperature stability and Raman spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations

“…[1][2][3] For instance, composites containing carbon nanotubes, graphene and FA eutectic mixtures for energy storage have been developed. [4][5][6][7] Furthermore, structural and kinetic studies revealed that these compounds can inhibit phospholipase A(2), thus being an anti-inammatory agent. 8,9 According to the literature, 10,11 these compounds can be used to gra polymers and produce carriers for non-viral gene delivery.…”