Continuous catalyst-free interesterification of crambe oil using methyl acetate under pressurized conditions

Abstract In this study the continuous production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and triacetin from crambe oil and methyl acetate (MA), without the use of catalysts, was investigated. The effects of the oil to MA mass ratio, reaction temperature, addition of water (in the oil) and a two-step reaction on the formation of the products were determined. The results indicated that increasing the availability of MA in the reaction medium had little influence on the FAME yield. An increase in the temperature enhanced the formation of esters and triacetin in the initial minutes of the reaction; however, as the reaction proceeded thermal decomposition was observed, mainly at 350 °C. The sample composition revealed a high level of decomposition of linoleate and linolenate esters. A higher FAME yield was obtained with 10 wt% of water added to the oil (∼53%), as well as with the application of a two-step reaction (∼58%).