Epoxidation Of Fish Oil Kinetic and Optimization Model

Anchovy oil of iodine value 188.8 was epoxidized in situ, with preformed peracetic acid, or using a mixed strategy, to determine a kinetic model for the reaction and the optimization of double bond conversion to oxirane rings. In the range of the operating variables, epoxidation and ring opening may be described by a pseudo-first-order reaction, and use of a mixed strategy allows a 92.2% conversion of the double bonds with a final oxirane number of 8.5 and iodine number of 19.4. Optimal conditions correspond to an in situ process at 70° C. with partially preformed peracetic acid and fast addition of the oil, using 6.16 moles of 41 weight % hydrogen peroxide and 0.5 mole of acetic acid, per mole of ethylenic unsaturation, in the presence of 10 weight % dry basis of resin catalyst Dowex 50W-12X, 50/100-mesh. Thermal stability of the epoxidized oil compares favorably with that of commercial PVC plasticizers.