Experimental study of the two-phase reaction system of soybean oil epoxidation in a millireactor: influence of the proportion of reagents and temperature

• Grant number: 21/13315-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Reinaldo Giudici
• Grantee: Thayana Teixeira de Mattos
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Two of the principles of Green Chemistry aim at the use of renewable raw materials and the use of less hazardous substances in industrial processes. In accordance with the current trend toward consolidation of such principles, the soybean oil epoxidation reaction system is promising. Studies show that the product of this reaction, epoxidized soybean oil (OSE), has application as a main component of plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), being a potential replacement for the compounds traditionally used in this application, the phthalates. Such replacement may be justified due to stricter regulations that restrict the use of phthalates in certain applications, due to their carcinogenic potential. OSE is usually obtained through a reaction system consisting of two liquid phases (aqueous phase and organic phase), in which the epoxidation reaction itself is extremely exothermic. Because of this, in this reaction system, heat and mass transfer effects are highly relevant, with influence by the interfacial area that separates the aqueous phase from the organic phase, and, consequently, from the proportion between the reagents added in the system. The present project aims to experimentally analyze the influence of the proportion of reactants and temperature on the fluid dynamics of the flow and phase dispersion of the reaction medium in a mill reactor, in addition to evaluating the impact of such factors on the production of OSE. With these results, it is expected to obtain optimal operating conditions for conducting the proposed reaction system in a mill reactor.(AU)