Process intensification of synthesis process for medium chain glycerides using cavitation

Cavitation results in conditions of local hot spots, turbulence and liquid circulation in the reactor which can result into intensification of chemical reactions. The present work investigates the effect of cavitating conditions on the synthesis process of medium chain glycerides (MCG) based on the esterification reaction between the fatty acids and glycerol. Effect of molar ratio and temperature on the rate of reaction and equilibrium conversion in the presence of ultrasound has been studied. It has been conclusively established that cavitation indeed results in substantial degree of intensification as compared to the conventional approach reported in the literature. Under optimized operating conditions of mole ratio (1:3) and temperature (90 C), equilibrium conversion of 98.5% has been obtained in about 6 h of reaction time using cavitation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.