Kinetic modelling of Prileschajew epoxidation of oleic acid under conventional heating and microwave irradiation

Abstract

Epoxidation of oleic acid by peracetic acid (PAA) was studied in a recycled reactor system under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. This reaction system consists of several steps. Thus, a kinetic modelling strategy to diminish the number of parameters to be estimated was developed by investigating each reaction step: PAA synthesis and decomposition, epoxidation and ring-opening. The energy balance for microwave heating was correlated with the concentration of the microwave-absorbent species and the total input power of the microwaves. The epoxidation reaction was conducted in the vigorously stirred tank reactor under isothermal conditions within a temperature range of 50–70 °C. ..