Optimization on Epoxidation of Palm Olein by Using Performic Acid

Darfizzi Derawi,Jumat Salimon

doi:10.1155/2010/384948

Abstract

The epoxidation process of palm olein (POo) was carried out by usingin situgenerated performic acid (HCOOOH) to produce epoxidized palm olein (EPO). HCOOOH was produced by mixing of formic acid (HCOOH) as oxygen carrier and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as oxygen donor in various ratio of POo: HCOOH: H2O2. The effect of HCOOH and H2O2concentration, temperature, stirring effect and reaction time were studied. The presence of oxirane ring of EPO was characterised by fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR and (13C-NMR) spectra. The results showed that an optimum oxirane oxygen content (OOC) value was obtained by using mol ratio of 1: 5: 2 at 150 minutes.

Highlights

Palm olein (POo) is a liquid fraction of palm oil, consists of mainly mono-unsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG), POP (42.8%) and di-unsaturated TAG, POO (35.7%)
We report that the effect of HCOOH and H2O2 concentration, temperature, reaction time and stirring condition during the epoxidation of POo and the oxygen oxirane content (OOC) values of epoxidized palm olein (EPO) were monitored
The maximum oxirane oxygen content (OOC) value (3.63%) of EPO was obtained at 150 minutes for the reaction using mole ratio of 1: 5: 4. The percentage of conversion was calculated of 97.1%

Summary

Introduction

Palm olein (POo) is a liquid fraction of palm oil (the largest renewable resources in Malaysia), consists of mainly mono-unsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG), POP (42.8%) and di-unsaturated TAG, POO (35.7%). To achieve a high OOC value of epoxide, there were some parameters that we have to consider such as concentration of peroxy acid (epoxidation agent), reaction temperature, reaction time and stirring speed. An increasing in the peroxy acid content of the reaction mixture is accompanied by an increase of oxirane oxygen content (OOC) value.

Results

Conclusion