Abstract
In recent years, studies related to the epoxidation of fatty acids have garnered much interest due to the rising demand for eco-friendly epoxides derived from vegetable oils. From the epoxidation reaction, there is a side reaction involving epoxide and water. This reaction produces a by-product – dihydroxystearic acid (C<sub>18</sub>H<sub>36</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, DHSA). DHSA is one of the chemical precursors in the production of cosmetic products. Therefore, a kinetic model was developed to determine the optimised epoxidation process and concentration of DHSA, where each of the reactions was identified. The kinetic rate, <i>k</i> parameters obtained were: <i>k</i><sub>11</sub> = 6.6442, <i>k</i><sub>12</sub> = 11.0185, <i>k</i><sub>21</sub> = 0.1026 for epoxidation palm oleic acid, and <i>k</i><sub>41</sub> = 0.0021, <i>k</i><sub>51</sub> = 0.0142 in degradation process. The minimum error of the simulation was 0.0937. In addition, DHSA yield optimisation was done through Taguchi method, and the optimum conditions obtained were H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>/oleic acid – OA unsaturation molar ratio 1 : 1 (level 2), formic acid – FA/OA unsaturation molar ratio 0.5 : 1 (level 1), temperature 35 °C (level 1), and agitation speed 100 rpm (level 1). A high yield of DHSA can be achieved under these conditions.
Highlights
The growth in vegetable oil demand has increased compared to the petroleum-based polymer.[1]
3.1 Reaction rate of DHSA production Kinetic model for catalytic epoxidation of palm oleic acid based on palm oil (PO) was developed by MATLAB simulation
There were 27 experiments run in the simulation, in order to ensure the optimal value of epoxidation
Summary
The growth in vegetable oil demand has increased compared to the petroleum-based polymer.[1]. Since petroleum causes environmental pollution concerns, vegetable oil has become an alternative in the production of the epoxide. The oxirane ring-opening depletes the yield and can cause high peroxide values of epoxidized vegetable oils, so the opening needs to be minimised.[3]. The commercial production of palm oil is quite high compared to that of other vegetable oils.[4]. EPO is obtained from renewable resources, and can be regarded as biodegradable and non-toxic. It is suitable in replacing petroleum, since petroleum is toxic and harmful to the environment. The oxirane-ring degradation of epoxidation palm oil was determined through MATLAB simulation.
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