Kinetics Study and Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of Esterification of Butyric Acid with Benzyl Alcohol: A Taguchi Methodology Approach

Abstract

Abstract The liquid phase esterification of butyric acid with benzyl alcohol was studied using homogenous catalyst p-toluenesulfonic acid. The reversible second order rate equation was used to investigate the kinetic parameters of the reaction. The L9 orthogonal array of Taguchi methodology was employed to study the parametric effect independent variables on the responses equilibrium constant (Keq) and conversion (Xeq) of butyric acid. The parameters and their range such as catalyst concentration (0.5–1.5 wt%), temperature (333–363 K) and molar ratio (1–3) was used and considered as independent parameters for parametric sensitivity analysis. Non-ideal behavior of the reaction was studied using UNIFAC group contribution method. The effect of reaction temperature on the overall activity factor was studied. The relative parametric effect on the Keq and Xeq was found. In sensitivity analysis, temperature and molar ratio was the most influencing parameter on the Keq and Xeq. The regression model was developed and validate by performing unknown experiments.