Pseudo-homogeneous Kinetic Model Research Articles

Kinetics of esterification of acetic acid with n‐butanol over different homogeneous acid catalysts

AbstractThe esterification reaction of n‐butanol and acetic acid has been performed in batch reactor in the presence of different homogeneous acid catalyst, namely sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and para toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA). The objective of present research work is to investigate kinetic behavior of esterification reaction over the temperature range of 60°C–80°C. The effect of reaction parameter such as catalyst loading varied from 1% to 5% v/v and acid to alcohol molar ratio of 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5 has been observed. A pseudo homogeneous kinetic model has been applied. Kinetic parameters such as equilibrium constant, reaction rate constant, enthalpy, activation energy, and entropy were calculated by the experimental data for different acid catalyst system. It was observed that sulfuric acid gives higher conversion 73% than p‐TSA 68.5% and nitric acid 66.25% at temperature of 80°C, 1:1 molar ratio and 3% catalyst concentration. The activation energy was estimated 36448.49, 23324.31 and 19060.156 J/mol K for three different catalyst sulfuric acid, nitric acid and p‐TSA respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of the esterification reaction of acetic acid with n‐butanol over three different catalysts has been calculated (Enthalpy: 25.788 KJ/mol, 12.256 KJ/mol, 28.320 KJ/mol, Entropy: 88.1 J/mol K, 45.298 J/mol K, 91.44 J/mol K) and found enthalpy is having positive value that shows reaction is endothermic.

Cd/SBA-15 heterogeneous catalyst used for acetic acid conversion: pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model, response surface methodology, and historical data design

Abstract Mesoporous materials (MMs) in the Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA) family can be used as catalysts or support materials (SMs) for catalysts because they have controllable pore structure, thermal and chemical stability, and their surface properties can be modified easily depending on the desired reaction type. Surfactant (Pluronic p123; it is a symmetric triblock copolymer comprising poly and its chemical formula; HO(CH2CH2O)20(CH2CH(CH3)O)70(CH2CH2O)20H), a silica source (such as Tetraethyl orthosilicate: TEOS; SiC8H20O4), and a solvent are used in the synthesis of the SBA family (SBA-15). The SBA-15 was given with the hydrothermal method (HM) a catalyst feature by loading the active substance at a rate of 10, 25 % (cadmium/silica) by mass. Esterification reactions (ERs) were carried out with Cd-SBA-15 (Cd/Si: 10–25 %) catalyst at a feed rate of 1/2 (methanol/acetic acid), in the presence of 0.4 g catalyst, at a reaction temperature of 373 K and for 6–48 h. After 48 h, the catalytic activity (CA) values were obtained as 65 and 68 %, respectively. The re-usability of the catalysts was repeated two times under the same experimental conditions. It was observed that the catalysts maintained their catalytic activity of 73.35 and 68.72 % (3 × 48 h). In addition, the limited effect of catalyst amount on acetic acid conversion was investigated by Response Surface Methodology, and Historical Data Design. Moreover, k 1, k2, equilibrium constant and activation energy values were calculated using the pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model. The physical features of the catalysts were investigated by BET, XRD, FTIR, DRIFT, SEM/EDX, and MAPPING analysis methods.

Kinetics measurement of ethylene-carbonate synthesis via a fast transesterification by microreactors

High-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) is widely used as battery electrolyte, polycarbonate monomer, organic intermediate, and so on. An economical and sustainable route to synthesize high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) via the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with ethylene glycol (EG) is provided in this work. However, this reaction is so fast that the reaction kinetics, which is essential for the industrial design, is hard to get by the traditional measuring method. In this work, an easy-to-assemble microreactor was used to precisely determine the reaction kinetics for the fast transesterification of DMC with EG using sodium methoxide as catalyst. The effects of flow rate, microreactor diameter, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and reactant molar ratio were investigated. An activity-based pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model, which considered the non-ideal properties of reaction system, was established to describe the transesterification of DMC with EG. Detailed kinetics data were collected in the first 5 min. Using these data, the parameters of the kinetic model were correlated with the maximum average error of 11.19%. Using this kinetic model, the kinetic data at different catalyst concentrations and reactant molar ratios were predicted with the maximum average error of 13.68%, suggesting its satisfactory prediction performance.

Kinetic modelling and simulations studies for propanoic acid esterification process

The esterification of propanoic acid with n-butanol to produce n-butyl propionate and water in the influence of an Amberlite catalyst was investigated using a batch reactor. The catalyst was chosen based on its ability to perform in this reaction. The temperature of the reaction runs between 363.15 K and 403.15 K, while the propanoic acid to n-butanol molar ratio is around 1:1 and 1:4. The selection of the catalyst loading is dependent on the volume of the reaction mixture. The catalyst dosage was kept within a 1%–3% by weight range. The kinetics of conversion have been researched in relation to the reaction temperature, mole ratio, catalyst size, stirrer speed, and catalyst quantity. The catalyst dosage and reaction temperature, according to the study, have a substantial influence on how soon the system achieves equilibrium. The pseudo homogeneous kinetic model is developed and tested against experimental results. Under the specified conditions, model predictions and empirical observations accord well. Arrhenius equation was used for calculation of rate constants and energy of activation. The forward reaction's frequency factor & activation energy are 18.554 L/mol.min and 30350 J/mol, correspondingly. Since the equilibrium constant increases as the temperature rises, the reaction is endothermic.

Transesterification reactive extractive distillation process using ionic liquids as entrainers: From molecular insights to process integration

In this work, the transesterification reactive distillation coupled with extractive distillation process for n-propanol (PROH) and methyl acetate (MEAC) was developed based on pseudo homogeneous kinetic parameter model using ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers. The COSMO-RS model was used for screening ILs entrainers. Here, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate [EMIM][AC] was selected as a potential entrainer due to its excellent solvent capacity and selectivity. Further, the COSMO-RS model was performed to calculate the polarization charge density (σ-profile) of methanol (MEOH), methyl acetate and [EMIM][AC], and to explore the molecular polarity. Based on quantum chemistry (QC) theory, the interaction energy between different molecular pairs is calculated. Independent gradient model (IGM) analysis identifies the interaction types of molecular pairs from the perspective of visualization. Owing to the strong hydrogen bond between anion [AC]− and MEOH, the extractive distillation process performance was significantly improved. Based on Aspen Plus platform, the effects of the theoretical stage number, reflux ratio, feed position and entrainer dosage on the cost and energy consumption of the new process was investigated. Based on the sensitivity analysis method, the operating conditions were optimized. Compared to the conventional process, the new reactive distillation coupled with extraction distillation process has higher energy efficiency and lower economic cost. The new process can save the total annual cost of about 3.42 × 105 $/year.

Kinetic Modelling and Optimizing of Butyl Propionate over a Synthesied Material (Tungstan Phosphoric Acid) Heteropoly Catalyst Using Response Surface Technique

The performance of heteropoly acid i.e., Tungstan phosphoric acid for the synthesis of butyl propionate at optimized conditions. Effect on conversion and yield of propionic acids using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were evaluated by different process parameters including catalyst loading, alcohol/acid molar ratio. There were no external and internal mass transmission limits. A quadratic model acquired by the variance study (ANOVA) has been shown to view experimental data successfully with the regression (R2 = 0.94 and R2 = 0.942) coefficients approaching to unity. The pseudo homogeneous kinetic model (PH) validated with experimental data to determine kinetic parameters i.e., activation energy (45.97 kJ/mol) and frequent factor (91319 L/mol-min).

Kinetics Study of the Esterification Reaction of Cyclohexene to Cyclohexyl Acetate Catalyzed by Novel Brønsted–Lewis Acids Bifunctionalized Heteropolyacid Based Ionic Liquids Hybrid Solid Acid Catalysts

A series of Bronsted–Lewis acids bifunctionalized heteropolyacid based ionic liquids hybrid solid acid catalysts (BLA-HPA-ILs) were synthesized by combining the Bronsted acidic ionic liquid [Bis–Bs–BDMAEE]HPW12O40 with metallic oxide in different composition ratios and applied in the esterification of cyclohexene to cyclohexyl acetate. Among the synthesized catalysts, the 1/2Cu[Bis–Bs–BDMAEE]HPW12O40 catalyst with Bronsted and Lewis acidities shown the most excellent catalytic performance for the esterification of cyclohexene with acetic acid. The BLA-HPA-ILs catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, Py-IR, TG, 1H NMR, SEM and EDX. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst dosage, and initial reactant molar ratio has been investigated in detail. A pseudohomogeneous (PH) kinetic model was used to correlate the kinetic data in the temperature range of 333.15–363.15 K, and the kinetic parameters were estimated, indicating the results calculated by the kinetic model are well coincidence with the experimental results. Moreover, as a heterogeneous reaction catalyst, 1/2Cu[Bis–Bs–BDMAEE]HPW12O40 could be easily recovered by a simple treatment and reused six times without any obvious decrease in catalytic activity, displaying good reusability.

Kinetic studies on esterification of acetic acid with isopropyl alcohol in presence of novel solid catalyst

Abstract The reaction of isopropyl alcohol with acetic acid was carried out in an isothermal batch reactor in presence of solid resin catalyst to produce isopropyl acetate and water. A novel solid resin catalyst Indion 140 was used in the present study. The temperature of reaction mixture was maintained in the range of 333.15 – 363.15 K. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst loading, mole ratio, size of catalyst, agitation speed were investigated on acetic acid conversion. Further, pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was developed for the catalyzed reaction. The forward reaction rate constants and activation energies were determined from the Arrhenius plot. The forward and backward activation energies are found to 53,459 J/mol and 54,748 J/mol, respectively. The heat of reaction is −1.289 kJ/mol with Indion 140 catalyst. The mathematical equation was developed for frequency factor as function of the catalyst loading and found that it follows a linear relationship between frequency factor and catalyst loading. The simulations were performed for pseudo homogeneous kinetic model and found that the model is able to predict the experimental data very well. The developed kinetic equation is useful for the simulation of a reactive distillation column for the synthesis of isopropyl acetate.

Kinetic model for esterification of oleic acid catalyzed by a green catalyst in ethanol

Bio-oil produced from biomass fast pyrolysis process is an organic liquid that can be transformed into high quality biofuel through upgrading process. Bio-oil comprises a large amount of carboxylic acids, which cause its corrosiveness, hence, difficulty for storage and utilization. Esterification may be considered as an intermediate upgrading method to convert the acids in bio-oil into esters by reacting with alcohol. This work presents kinetic studies of the esterification of a bio-oil model compound in ethanol catalyzed by 12-tungstosilicic acid. Oleic acid was used to represent the main component of bio-oil derived from agro-residues. Conditions considered were the molar ratio of ethanol to oleic acid of 9.11:1, catalyst loading of 10 wt%, and reaction temperatures in the range of 35-75 °C. It was found that the pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was suitable to represent the esterification of the bio-oil model compound. Average reaction order n = 1.9, activation energy Ea=50.1 kJ/mol, and pre-exponential factor A = 11.11×103 min−1 were obtained by fitting the kinetic model with experimental results.

Acetalization of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural into biofuel additive cyclic acetal using protic ionic liquid catalyst- A thermodynamic and kinetic analysis

This work investigates the thermodynamics and kinetics of the synthesis of 5-HMF-cyclic acetal, a fuel additive, from 5-HMF and 1,3-propanediol using lab synthesized, environmentally benign Brønsted acidic ionic liquid (IL) catalyst. Firstly, a thermodynamic study of the acetalization of 5-HMF with different mono and polyalcohols was carried out to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of critical temperature (Tc), critical volume (Vc), critical pressure (Pc), Gibbs free energy of formation (ΔGf0), enthalpy of formation (ΔfH0), and heat capacity (Cp) using group contribution methods. Then, kinetics of 5-HMF acetalization with 1,3-propanediol was investigated in a batch autoclave using Brønsted acidic IL catalyst and effect of reaction parameters temperature, molar ratio of reactants and time were investigated on the conversion of 5-HMF into 5-HMF-cyclic acetal product and optimized for high 5-HMF conversion and cyclic acetal yield. A first-order pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model with a squared regression coefficient R2 > 0.99 fitted well with experimental data. The activation energy of the acetalization reaction is estimated to be 83 kJ/mol for the 1st order kinetics. Based on the catalyst activity, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed for the acetalization reaction of 5-HMF and 1,3-propanediol. Finally, this manuscript reports an efficient method for the production of fuel-additive compound and valuable information for predicting the thermodynamic properties for the pure organic components.

Reactive extraction for synthesizing long chain ester butyl hexanoate intensified by deep eutectic solvent

Butyl hexanoate (BuHE) is an important long-chain ester that is widely used in the food, beverage and cosmetic industries. In this work, reactive extraction concept was proposed to intensify the BuHE formation in a biphasic system, in which deep eutectic solvent (DES) comprising 2-methylimidazole (2-MIm) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) was used as dual solvent-catalyst. First, the effect of 2-MIm to PTSA molar ratio on esterification was investigated to determine the optimum DES of [2-MIm:2PTSA], which was characterized by FT-IR and TGA. Then, the liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) and esterification experiments were carried out to confirm the extraction and catalytic effect of [2-MIm:2PTSA], respectively. Afterwards, the pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was employed to describe the esterification kinetics. Finally, the intensification mechanism of reactive extraction for BuHE formation was proposed according to the experiments and interaction effect analysis.

Heterogeneity of lignocellulose must be considered for kinetic study: A case on formic acid fractionation of sugarcane bagasse with different pseudo-homogeneous kinetic models

Sugarcane bagasse was fractionated by 60–90 wt% formic acid (FA) under mild (<105 °C) conditions. Several pseudo-homogenous models including Saeman’s model, two-fraction model and “potential degree of reaction” model were employed to determine the kinetic parameters. Saeman’s model showed satisfying prediction to experimental results when the data of xylose and solubilized lignin concentrations in the liquid phase were used for fitting; however, significant deviation was found when the data of xylan and lignin contents in the residual solids were used for fitting. Two-fraction model that divided the components as fast-reacting and slow-reacting fractions showed good degree of fitting. The determined average fast-reacting fractions for xylan and lignin of sugarcane bagasse were 0.733 and 0.685, respectively. Potential degree of reaction model that introduced a parameter termed as potential degree of xylan solubilization or delignification demonstrated the best degree of fitting. The obtained rate constants was in the range of 4–14 h−1 with an observed activation energy of 20.7 kJ/mol for xylan solubilization, and 4–15 h−1 with an observed activation energy of 43.5 kJ/mol for delignification. This study is believed to provide deeper understanding of heterogeneity of lignocellulose, which is promising to enhance biorefinery and biofuel production based on sugarcane bagasse. The finding of this work also may provide useful information for kinetic modelling of chemical pretreatment and fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass.

Synthesis of propylene glycol methyl ether catalyzed by imidazole polymer catalyst: Performance evaluation, kinetics study, and process simulation

An imidazole polymer (divinylbenzene-vinylimidazole) catalyst (P-DVB-VIM) was developed for production of the eco-friendly solvent propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME) by the propoxylation reaction of propylene oxide (PO) with methanol (ME). The catalyst was characterized in detail by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. 1H NMR was used to characterize the structural features of the catalyst precursor, i.e., the linear polymer of vinylimidazole (PVIM). An “electrophile nucleophile dual activation” ring-opening mechanism was proposed based on the “cooperative effect” of the reactant and PVIM. The catalytic performance was investigated and optimized at 100–130 ℃ using an autoclave batch reactor. The results reveal that the P-DVB-VIM shows excellent catalytic performance, exhibiting the highest turnover frequency (TOF) number at 120 °C within 45 min. The reaction kinetics was systematically studied using the pseudohomogeneous (PH) kinetic model. The kinetic parameters were determined by non-linear regression analysis of the experimental data. Validation of the model showed that the experimental data were in good agreement with the predicted outcomes. Moreover, based on the proposed kinetic model, steady-state simulations of the production of PGME in a fixed-bed reactor were carried out to determine the optimal design parameters, thus providing a useful guide for the design and production of PGME on the industrial scale.

Solketal Production by Glycerol Acetalization Using Amberlyst-15 Catalyst

Glycerol, as a by-product of biodiesel production, has recently increased due to the rapid growth of the biodiesel industry. Glycerol utilization is needed to increase the added value of glycerol. Glycerol can be converted to solketal, which can be used as a green fuel additive to enhance an octane or cetane number. Conversion of glycerol to solketal was conducted via acetalization reaction with acetone using amberlyst-15 as the catalyst. The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of some operation conditions on glycerol conversion. Furthermore, it also aimed to develop a kinetic model of solketal synthesis with amberlyst-15 resins. The experiment was conducted in a batch reactor, equipped with cooling water, thermometer, stirrer, and a water bath. The variables that have been investigated in the present work were reaction temperature, reactants molar ratio, catalyst loading, and stirrer speed for 3 hours of reaction time. Temperatures, reactants molar ratio, and stirrer speed appeared to have a significant impact on glycerol conversion, where the higher values led to higher conversion. On the other hand, in the presence of catalyst, the increase of catalyst loading has a less significant impact on glycerol conversion. The results showed that the highest glycerol conversion was 68.75%, which was obtained at 333 K, the reactant’s molar ratio was 4, the amount of catalyst was 1 wt%, and stirrer speed of 500 rpm. Based on the pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model, the resulting kinetic model suitable for this glycerol capitalization. The value of parameters k and Ea were 1.6135 108 min-1 and 62.226 kJ mol-1,respectively. The simulation model generally fits the experimental data reasonably well in the temperature range of 313-333 K.

Catalytic Isomerization of α-Pinene Epoxide Over a Natural Zeolite

Isomerization of α-pinene epoxide was carried out over a Colombian natural zeolite as potential geocatalyst with heulandite, chabazite and clipnotilolite as main crystallographic phases; the heulandite was identified as the active phase. Over synthetic zeolites, isomerization of α-pinene epoxide depended on Si/Al ratio, unit cell and the kind of structure. The best solvent was toluene and not isomerization activity was observed in presence of solvents with carboxyl groups. Complete α-pinene epoxide conversion and 45% selectivity to campholenic aldehyde were obtained at 70 °C, with fencholenic aldehyde, carveol, and p-cymene as main by-products. Decrease of activity of natural zeolite was associated with loss of acid sites. A reaction mechanism based on experimental and computational data was proposed including adsorption of α-pinene epoxide on Fe or Al sites of the natural zeolite; a reaction rate constant of 4.02 × 10–4 mol g−1 min−1 was estimated from a pseudo homogeneous kinetic model.

Pseudo-homogeneous Kinetic Evaluation for in-situ Epoxidation of Oleic Acid

Epoxidation of unsaturated fatty materials is useful route to synthesize valuable material especially bio-based polymers. Oleic acid (OA, iodine value of 90 gram I2/100 gram) is the most common unsaturated fatty material that can be found in vegetable oils or animal fats. Epoxidation of oleic acid with peracetic acid generated in-situ has been performed in batch system. Kinetic evaluation was conducted by varying the reaction temperature from 40 to 70 °C under constant value of stirring speed, H2O2:OA molar ratio, acetic acid:OA molar ratio, and catalyst concentration. Double bond conversion, oxirane yield, and selectivity of oxirane has been evaluated. The result shows that the degree of side reaction (ie: ring opening) is high in temperature of 60 and 70 °C. Pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model is well fitted in 40 and 50 °C but it gives significant deviation in 60 and 70 °C. The activation energy of oleic acid epoxidation has been found to be 62.2 kJ/mol.

Kinetic Characterization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Apple Pomace as Feedstock for a Sugar-Based Biorefinery

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from biomass feedstock in the sugar-based biorefinery chain is penalized by enzyme cost and difficulty to approach the theoretical maximum cellulose conversion degree. As a consequence, the process is currently investigated to identify the best operating conditions with reference to each biomass feedstock. The present work reports an investigation regarding the enzymatic hydrolysis of apple pomace (AP). AP is an agro-food waste largely available in Europe that might be exploited as a sugar source for biorefinery purposes. A biomass pre-treatment step was required before the enzymatic hydrolysis to make available polysaccharides chains to the biocatalyst. The AP samples were pre-treated through alkaline (NaOH), acid (HCl), and enzymatic (laccase) delignification processes to investigate the effect of lignin content and polysaccharides composition on enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis tests were carried out using a commercial cocktail (Cellic®CTec2) of cellulolytic enzymes. The effect of mixing speed and biomass concentration on the experimental overall glucose production rate was assessed. The characterization of the glucose production rate by the assessment of pseudo-homogeneous kinetic models was proposed. Data were analysed to assess kinetic parameters of pseudo-mechanistic models able to describe the glucose production rate during AP enzymatic hydrolysis. In particular, pseudo-homogeneous Michaelis and Menten, as well as Chrastil’s models were used. The effect of lignin content on the enzymatic hydrolysis rate was evaluated. Chrastil’s model provided the best description of the glucose production rate.

KINETICS OF ESTERIFICATION OF OLEIC AND LINOLEIC FREE FATTY ACIDS

The kinetics of the esterification of oleic and linoleic acids using a batch reactor are described in this study. Effect of relevant factors on ester conversion, such as reaction temperature, dose of sulphuric acid as a catalyst, and methanol/FFAs (oleic and linoleic acid) mole ratios are studied. The results showed that the maximum conversion of oleic and linoleic were 88% at 40:1 methanol/FFA molar ratio at 68°C, catalyst 2 wt. % of FFA and reaction time 30 min. A pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was proposed for the esterification. The influence of Temperature on the rate constants is presented by Arrhenius equation, and the activation energies were found to be 43.42 and 45.51 kJ/mol for linoleic and oleic acid, respectively.

Kinetic study of the esterification of unsaturated free fatty acids

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the esterification of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids using a batch reactor are described in this study. The effect of relevant factors on ester conversion, such as reaction temperature, dose of sulfuric acid as a catalyst and methanol/free fatty acids (FFAs) (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid) mole ratios are studied. The results show that the maximum conversion of oleic and linoleic acids was 88% at 40:1 methanol/FFAs molar ratio, temperature of 68°C, catalyst 2 wt% of FFAs and reaction time of 30 min. A pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model was proposed for the esterification. The effect of temperature on the rate constants is represented by Arrhenius equation, and the activation energy was found to be 13·35, 43·42 and 45·51 kJ/mol for linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters including ΔG, ΔS and ΔH were determined. Thermodynamic studies have revealed that the reaction was a non-spontaneous and endothermic one.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of oil palm mesocarp fiber cellulose conversion to levulinic acid and upgrading to ethyl levulinate via indium trichloride-ionic liquids

This study investigated the kinetic and thermodynamic studies of oil palm mesocarp fiber cellulose conversion to levulinic acid and upgrading to ethyl levulinate via an eco-friendly Bronsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquid, that is, indium trichloride-1-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (InCl3-[HMIM][HSO4]). The conversion reactions, i.e. cellulose depolymerisation to levulinic acid, and the subsequent upgrading esterification to ethyl levulinate, were conducted at a temperature range of 135–175 °C and 65–105 °C, respectively. Pseudo-homogeneous kinetic models were adapted to evaluate the best reaction order. The results indicate that both reactions followed the pseudo-homogeneous first-order kinetic models. Relative low activation energies of 56.5 kJ mol−1 and 28.1 kJ mol−1 were obtained for the cellulose depolymerisation, and the subsequent upgrading esterification, respectively, implying a higher energy and catalytic efficiency system. The first-order rate constants were calculated to analyse the thermodynamic activation parameters. The Gibbs free energy of activation for the cellulose depolymerisation, and the subsequent upgrading esterification were +115.5 kJ mol−1 and +90.3 kJ mol−1 respectively, which were relatively lower than the previous works that used various type of catalysts. These kinetic and thermodynamic parameters provide insights to the oil palm mesocarp fiber cellulose conversion to levulinic acid and ethyl levulinate via the proposed eco-friendly ionic liquids.