Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
6-30-1960
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering
First Advisor
Saul I. Kreps
Second Advisor
James A. Bradley
Third Advisor
Carl W. Carlson
Abstract
A step in the method for manufacturing a purified grade of lactic acid from the technical grade lactic acid (44%) was investigated. In this method, technical grade lactic acid was reacted with normal butyl alcohol, the water formed during esterification was azeotropically removed. The ester formed, was separated from the excess butanol by vacuum distillation. The final step, the hydrolysis of the distilled ester to a purified grade of lactic acid was not covered in this investigation.
In this study, several features are reported, which to the best of knowledge, appear in a publication for the first time. They are as follows:
1. The use of hydrochloric acid as a catalyst for the esterification of technical grade lactic acid with butanol was developed, resulting in yields, ranging from 90 to 100 percent of recoverable ester. Previous investigations with sulfuric acid as a catalyst resulted in yields of from 40 to 50 percent.
2. An optimum catalyst concentration of one percent of the total charge was established for a four to one molar ratio of butanol to lactic acid.
3. Data pertaining to the preparation and yields from the technical grade acid have been reported in detail.
4. Results of an investigation by Wezowicz were checked out. Sulfuric acid is a poor catalyst for this reaction owing to the undesirable side reactions which develop resulting in the formation of polylactic esters and olefins.
Recommended Citation
Swier, George John, "Esterification of technical grade lactic acid" (1960). Theses. 3074.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/3074
