Study of the epoxidation reaction of the soybean oil: kinetic modeling and study of the process in continuous reactor

• Grant number: 19/00289-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Giudici
• Grantee: Gustavo Vieira Olivieri
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/01982-0 - Epoxidation reaction of vegetable oils: experimental measurement of partition coefficients in the biphasic system and NMR characterization of the epoxidized product, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Aiming at consolidating the use of substances from renewable sources in industrial processes, this project focuses on the study of the epoxidation reaction of the soybean oil, which usually occurs in a biphasic liquid reaction medium. The product of this reaction, called Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO), has been mainly used as a primary element in plasticizers for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), replacing phthalate-based compounds (some phthalates have restricted applications due to to its carcinogenic/mutagenic potential). Despite the reaction has extremely exothermic steps, in the previous study of Quadros Jr. and Giudici (2016), it was verified the possibility of a single addition of all the reagents in the batch reactive medium without the use of catalysts, but considering an efficient thermal exchange to guarantee the control of the reaction medium. The present project aims to advance the study cited above, first by developing a kinetic model that includes all the reactions and the mass and heat transfer effects present in the reaction medium. This model will be used to fit the experimental data of the cited study. Finally, it is intended to conduct an experimental study of this reaction in a microreactor/milireator to stimulate the implementation of a continuous process for generation of ESO on an industrial scale, which would allow an increase in its productivity with better security and better quality control. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HOGA, HELOISA EMI; FERNANDES, ROBERT LUNKEZ; OLIVIERI, GUSTAVO VIEIRA; TORRES, RICARDO BELCHIOR. Molecular interactions of (ionic liquid butylammonium methanoate plus alcohols) at several temperatures. Part II: sec-Butylammonium methanoate (S4Met). JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS, v. 178, p. 16-pg., 2022-12-08. (09/14556-5, 16/02652-3, 19/00289-7)

OLIVIERI, V, GUSTAVO; DE QUADROS JR, V, JACYR; GIUDICI, REINALDO. Epoxidation Reaction of Soybean Oil: Experimental Study and Comprehensive Kinetic Modeling. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, v. 59, n. 42, p. 18808-18823, OCT 21 2020. (15/50684-9, 19/00289-7)

OLIVIERI, V, GUSTAVO; DE QUADROS JR, V, JACYR; GIUDICI, REINALDO. Evaluation of Potential Designs for a Continuous Epoxidation Reactor. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, v. 60, n. 39, p. 14099-14112, OCT 6 2021. (19/00289-7, 15/50684-9)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLIVIERI, Gustavo Vieira. Epoxidation of soybean oil: kinetic modeling and analysis of the process in continuous reactor.. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP/BC) São Paulo.