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DOE OSTI · 1981436

Characterizing Reaction Space in the Continuous-Flow Esterification of Oleic Acid Using a Sulfonated Hydrothermal Carbon Catalyst

Fraley, Norman·Wright, Marcus·Lachgar, Abdessadek
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Abstract

Continuous-flow catalytic esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) with methanol in the presence of sulfonated hydrothermal carbon (SHTC) as catalyst was studied. Using a Box-Behnken experimental design protocol, the effects of residence time, methanol:acid molar ratio, and water concentration on the conversion of oleic acid into methyl oleate were investigated. The optimum conditions for achieving esterification greater than 90 % at 100 °C were determined to be 11-minute residence time, a MeOH:FFA molar ratio >14.6 and up to 14.9 % water. The SHTC was used continuously for 4.5 days without a significant decrease in catalytic performance. The results confirmed that SHTC is an effective solid acid catalyst in a continuous flow system for the esterification of FFA.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYbiofuelchemistrycontinuous flowesterificationsolid acid catalysissulfonated hydrothermal carbon

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Fraley, Norman, Wright, Marcus, Lachgar, Abdessadek. 2022-07-08. Characterizing Reaction Space in the Continuous-Flow Esterification of Oleic Acid Using a Sulfonated Hydrothermal Carbon Catalyst. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202200287

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