Kinetics of esterification of acetic acid with propyl alcohol by heterogeneous catalysis

Abstract

Kinetic data on the esterification of acetic acid with propyl alcohol catalyzed by the ion exchange resin DOWEX MONOSPHERE 650 C have been obtained using a stirred batch reactor. It was checked if there is an influence of pore diffusion and film resistance on the reaction rate when varying reaction temperature, initial molar ratios, and amount of resin. The possible mechanisms of reaction were mathematically treated using the theories of Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Rideal-Eley. Taking the nonideal behavior of the system acetic acid, propyl alcohol, propyl acetate, and water into account, all calculations were realized with activities using the UNIQUAC-equation. By using the experimental results in a process of model discrimination the best kinetic parameter set was found out by the aid of the commercial software package SIMUSOLV. The resulting data of rate constants and the experimental determined equilibrium constants served as a basis for the calculation of the thermodynamic parameters of esterification, as reaction enthalpy, reaction entropy, and activation enthalpies. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.