Catalytic epoxidation of waste palm kernel oil using in situ performic acid formation

Abstract

The use of renewable resources in the epoxidation process can reduce the dependence on non-renewable petroleum resources and contribute to a more environmentally friendly chemical industry. This study aims to investigate the epoxidation of waste palm kernel oil as a renewable feedstock. The synthesis of epoxidized waste palm kernel oil was conducted by reacting waste palm kernel oil, formic acid, and hydrogen peroxide in a one-pot system. Currently, there is no reported literature on the simultaneous application of a catalyst for the epoxidation of waste palm kernel oil derived from industrial waste. The optimum process parameters were determined, including hydrogen peroxide to waste palm kernel oil molar ratio (1.5:1), formic acid to waste palm kernel oil molar ratio (0.5:1), and stirring speed (300 rpm). The optimum relative conversion to oxirane of epoxidized waste palm kernel oil was 88%. A mathematical model was developed using numerical integration based on the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method as follows: $k_{11}$ = 0.894 mol·L⁻¹·min⁻¹, $k_{12}$ = 7.420 mol·L⁻¹·min⁻¹, and $k_2$ = 0.086 mol·L⁻¹·min⁻¹. Based on the findings of the kinetic study, the kinetic model was validated due to its minimal simulation error.