Optimization of ethyl oleate from oleic acid and ethanol with Dean-Stark trap technology by response surface methodology

This work evaluates the optimum condition of the esterification reaction of oleic acid (OA) and ethanol by Dean-Stark trap (DS) and without technology, as well as the effects of the various factors' interaction on the conversion rate of OA. The influences of OA/ethanol molar ratio, concentration of catalyst, temperature reaction, and time reaction on the conversion rate of OA were investigated. The response surface method (RSM) is combined to optimize the experimental scheme. The results showed that the conversion rate of OA reached the peak of 98.78% when the molar ratio of ethanol/OA was 9:1, the concentration of catalyst was 3%, the temperature reaction was 90 °C, and the reaction time was 10 hours. Compared with the esterification reaction without DS, the conversion rate of OA was 54.96%. FTIR analysis confirmed the changes of a functional group for the response, and GC-MS was for confirmation of the fragmentation mode of the esterification reaction that occurs. The availability of ethyl oleate derived from palm oil, aimed at surfactant production, provides an excellent feedstock to produce surfactants for cosmetic applications.