Kinetics of esterification of 10-undecenoic and ricinoleic acids with near-critical and supercritical methanol

Sustainable Energy & Fuels Pub Date: 2017-06-26 DOI: 10.1039/C7SE00258K

Abstract

Methyl esters of castor oil derived carboxylic acids such as 10-undecenoic acid and ricinoleic acid are useful as biofuels, biolubricants and plasticizers. Esterification of these fatty acids was studied for the first time with near-critical and supercritical methanol without adding any external catalysts. Reaction kinetics were studied for esterification in a wide range of temperatures (523–673 K) and molar ratios (from 1?:?1 to 40?:?1) at a constant pressure of 20 MPa. Conversions of >90% were obtained for both the carboxylic acids within an hour of reaction time. Different kinetic models were developed and used to correlate the conversions at various temperatures and molar ratios.

Graphical abstract: Kinetics of esterification of 10-undecenoic and ricinoleic acids with near-critical and supercritical methanol
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