ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF GRAPE SEED OIL EPOXIDATION IN SUPERCRITICAL CO2

Abstract In this work, it is proposed to check the viability of the epoxidation process of grape seed oil under supercritical conditions, select and optimize the ratios of the different reagents and/or additives that take part in it. Different experiments were performed involving oil, hydrogen peroxide, CO2 (as the supercritical fluid), sodium bicarbonate and different phase transfer catalysts (PTC) as enhancers for the performance. Operating conditions were set in 150 bar, 40 °C and 15 h. Subsequently, a statistical study of the influence of each of the reagents on the yield was carried out. Finally, it was possible to reach 8.31% yield by means of the selection of an optimal PTC. This is the first approach reported to the epoxidation of vegetable oils through the utilization of scCO2 not only as a solvent but also as a reactant, using several PTCs and analyzing its effect and that of epoxy agents and enhancers.