Investigation of soybean oil epoxidation process with phase transfer catalyst: Risk of thermal runaway

Abstract

This paper explores an efficient and eco-friendly epoxidation process using the phase transfer catalyst ([(C₁₈H₃₇)₂(CH₃)₂N]₃{PO₄[W(O)(O₂)₂]₄}), which offers more advantages over the use of carboxylic and inorganic acids as catalysts in the Prileschajew epoxidation process. Consequently, a study of the process's thermal hazards is imperative. The paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the process, employing a combination of calorimetric techniques. The critical runaway temperature, stabilization temperature, and required heat dissipation rate to prevent thermal runaway reactions were calculated using the Semenov model. On-line Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and reaction calorimetry were used to relate the reaction mechanism and exothermic behavior of the actual production process, and a reliable model was developed for the calculation of reaction enthalpy. The findings indicate that the thermal risk depends on the rate of double bond epoxidation, which provides offering valuable insights for safe industrial-scale ESO production.