Hydrogenation of methyl ricinoleate

Abstract

The hydrogenation of methyl ricinoleate wes studied under varying reaction condition using nickel catalyst Ni 3742D, which is the best commercial catalyst. The suitable operating condition, for hydrogen gas feeding at the desired temperature of system, was found to be ; temperature 150 °C, hydrogen pressure 150 psig, agitation speed 800 rpm, hydrogenation time 2 hours and concentration of catalyst 0.07% Ni/oil. The resulting methyl ester wax had an iodine value of 2.72, a hydroxyl value of 163.12, an acid value of 1.47, and melting point 48.5°C. From studying the effect of hydrogen gas feeding at initial heating up the system, the better quality product was obtained. In addition, from studying the effect of storage time of methyl ricinoleate after the four months of finding suitable operating condition, the lower quality product was obtained. This quality could be improved by using the initial hydrogen feeding method.