https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2025.007
Published: Kem. Ind. 74 (7-8) (2025) 295–300
Paper reference number: KUI-07/2025
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Sustainable Epoxidation of Unsaturated Fatty Acid through Peracid Mechanism with Amberlite Resin as a Catalyst

S. M. Ismail, S. N. Abdullah, N. I. M. Zain, S. J. A. Rahman, M. J. Jalil and I. S. Azmi

Abstract

The growing global transition from non-renewable to renewable raw materials has spurred significant interest in sustainable alternatives. Nevertheless, the utilisation of amberlite resin for catalysing the production of epoxidised palm oil remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of varying the molar ratio of formic acid to palm oil (0.5 : 1, 1 : 1, and 2 : 1) and different stirring speeds (150 rpm, 250 rpm, and 350 rpm) on the resulting oxirane value. Findings indicate that a molar ratio of 1 : 1 between formic acid and palm oil results in a 62 % oxirane value within 30 min, surpassing the outcomes of other tested ratios. A stirring speed of 350 rpm produced the highest oxirane value, at 68 %, compared to stirring speeds of 250 rpm and 150 rpm. The experiment successfully optimised the 1 : 1 molar ratio of formic acid to palm oil and a stirring speed of 350 rpm to increase epoxidation of palm oil. The Runge-Kutta Fourth Order method, in conjunction with genetic algorithm optimisation for numerical integration, was used to establish a mathematical model.

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Keywords

peracid mechanism, epoxidation, oxirane content, palm oil, genetic algorithm