Optimization of process variables for hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol over a Pt/SiO2 catalyst using response surface methodology

Abstract

The conversion of cinnamaldehyde (CALD) to Cinnamyl alcohol (CALC) over a Pt/SiO2 catalyst was investigated. To achieve maximum CALC production, the historical data design of using a response surface methodology (RSM) experimental design was applied to Correlate and optimize the operation process variables (i.e., catalyst amount, 0.1-0.3 g; reaction temperature, 70-110 °C; pressure, 20-40 bar; and reaction time, 30-360 min) for the CALD conversion and selectivity for CALC. The obtained experimental values of the conversion and selectivity were in good agreement with those predicted by a second-order quadratic model, indicating the suitability of the model to estimate the conversion and selectivity. The maximum CALD conversion and selectivity for CALC were 98.905% and 80.295%, respectively, at the following conditions: temperature, 75.96 °C; pressure, 20.11 bar; catalyst amount, 0.19 g; and reaction time, 296.59 min.