Optimization and kinetic study of butyl capryl production by ohmic heating

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the impact of the ohmic heating technique on butyl caprylate production. The impact of butanol to caprylic acid molar ratio, temperature, and catalyst type on the butyl caprylate production was investigated. In addition, the kinetic of butyl caprylate production was investigated. In the ohmic heating technique, a butanol: caprylic acid molar ratio of 1:2 showed the highest conversion. Amberlyst 15 dry exhibited higher conversion than other catalysts. Production of butyl caprylate obeyed the Eley Rideal model. The ohmic heating technique exhibited higher esterification rate constant than the conventional method. Ohmic heating technique reduced the activation energy by 60.51 %, compared to that of conventional process. The CO₂ emission and electrical energy consumption in ohmic heating technique was lower than that of conventional method. In conlusion, ohmic heating technique can use as an efficient and cheap technique for butyl caprylate production.