Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of Russian ...

PP-III-31+CH 3 OHH 2 O + HO-(CH(CH 3 )COO) (n+m) HHO-(CH(CH 3 )COO) n -H+ CH 3 OHHO-(CH(CH 3 )COO) k CH 3 + H 2 O+ CH 3 OH+ CH 3 OHHO-(CH(CH 3 )COO) m -H HO-(CH(CH 3 )COO) x CH 3(including methyl lactate, x = 1)Fig. 1. Scheme of reaction.Then the laboratory installation including continuous mixed flow reactor was set up andexamined. The initial mixture consisting of methanol and oligomer was continuously fed intoreactor. In the reactor the methanolysis of oligomer in presence of catalyst continuously ran.Reaction products comprised of methanol, methyl lactate and traces of water, lactic acid andmethyl ester of lactic acid dimer were continuously flowed from outlet of reactor.The experimental optimization of reaction conditions was carried out with variations offollowing parameters: temperature (170-225 °С), contact time, molar ratio of reagent, type ofcatalyst. It was found that the most effective catalysts were Liwes acids such as tin octoateand titan tetrabutoxide. The optimal process conditions were determined that providedcapacity of reactor about 1 kg (methyl lactate)/(l×h).ConclusionsThe kinetics of methanolysis of oligomer of lactic acid was investigated. The scheme ofreaction and mathematic model were proposed and kinetic parameters were calculated. Theoptimal conditions for continuous mixed flow reactor for methyl lactate producing wereexperimentally determined.362