Intrinsic Kinetics of Esterification of Fatty Acids Catalyzed by Supported Ionic Liquid Catalysts

Esterification of palm fatty acid distillate with methanol was investigated for intrinsic kinetics and regarding the effect of catalyst loading, temperature, and methanol to feed molar ratio using ionic liquid acidic catalysts covalently attached to a polystyrene support. The kinetic parameters of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougan-Watson model of the reaction are determined for comparison with those using p-toluenesulfonic acid and methanesulfonic acid as homogeneous catalysts considering the phase split of the reaction mixture into two liquid phases during the reaction. The intrinsic parameters could predict the dynamic behavior of the system under various operating conditions.