Transesterification Using Ultrasonic Spray of Triolein Containing CaO Particles into Methanol Vapor in a 3-Phase Reactor

Ultrasonic spraying was used in a three-phase reactor to produce small droplets of triolein mixed with CaO as solid catalyst at temperatures above the boiling point methanol for enhancement transesterification triolein. Droplets fell countercurrent flow and were collected bottom reactor, followed by circulation ultrasonic spray system. The experimental parameters included rates 2.5–9.0 mL/min, reaction 70–100 °C, contents 1.0–7.0 wt%. feed rate set be constant. results suggested that successful after using generating high contact surface area droplets, which key factor determining performance. Comparing conventional liquid phase same 60 produced methyl ester yield 2–5% higher during min trial period. However, became lower because mass transfer limited. kinetics estimated based on data—assuming first-order reaction—and indicated range constant, an apparent activation energy, pre-exponential 1.21–3.70 × 10?2 min?1, 36.1 kJ mol?1, 64.9 respectively, suggesting effective fast initial stage.