Intensified esterification of oleic acid and n-butanol using a beta zeolite membrane reactor at low temperature

A beta zeolite membrane reactor was first applied to improve conversion on the esterification of oleic acid and n-butanol at low temperature by rapidly removing the by-product water. In the pervaporation (PV)-esterification at low temperature of 353 K, the final conversion of oleic acid was significantly improved to 99.2 % in a short reaction time of 4 h. Even at an incredibly low esterification temperature of 333 K, the conversion of oleic acid reached 95.7 % in 4 h. Besides, the beta zeolite membrane reactor exhibited good hydrothermal and acid stabilities with a high oleic acid conversion (maintained above 99 %) after 5 reaction cycles. Through XRD and SEM characterization, it was found that the membrane kept complete crystal structure. Process intensification through a beta zeolite membrane reactor aided by PV was successfully used to enhance the esterification at low temperature in a short time, which was a promising coupling technology.