Kinetic and Parametric Studies on Oleic Acid Esterification Catalyzed by Purolite CT151

Abstract In this study, the impact of reaction parameters, reaction kinetics, and mechanism on the esterification of oleic acid with methanol using Purolite CT151 as a heterogeneous catalyst was investigated. The effects of molar ratio, reaction time, and catalyst amount were examined. The highest oleic acid conversion of 84 % was achieved under the following conditions: methanol/oleic acid molar ratio of 12:1, 20 wt. % catalyst amounts, a reaction time of 7 h, and a reaction temperature of 67 °C. The surface characterization was performed with FTIR and scanning electron microscope analysis. The proposed reaction model was based on the Eley–Rideal mechanism, where methanol adsorbed onto the catalyst surface reacted with oleic acid before water desorption.