Fatty Acid Epoxidation on Enzymes: Experimental Study and Modeling of Batch and Semibatch Operation

Biolubricants, plasticizers, bio-based rigid foams, and non-isocyanate polyurethanes can be made in a green way from epoxidized fatty acids. The classical technology for acid epoxidation requires reaction carrier, which acts as the real agent. process is complicated involves safety risk because of appearance percarboxylic Therefore, direct acids presence an immobilized enzyme attractive pathway to Oleic was used model compound this work, commercial lipase Novozym 435 catalyst hydrogen peroxide Batch semibatch operation modes were tested laboratory-scale stirred tank reactor. experimental results showed that almost complete conversions double bonds oleic achievable under isothermal batch operation, with low concentrations ring-opening byproducts. Semibatch gave improvement product yield. Mathematical modeling data based on stoichiometry OA + HP → POA W EOA OA, where = acid, peroxide, peroleic water, epoxized OA. Rate equations formation epoxide derived, numerical values kinetic adsorption parameters estimated nonlinear regression analysis. reactor models consisted ordinary differential equations, solved numerically during parameter estimation until optimal reached. very good description data.