Comparison between single column and two columns packed bed reactor in the ethyl ester synthesis using Burkholderia cepacia lipase immobilized on silica modified in protic ionic liquid.
The ethyl ester synthesis was studied in packed bed reactor (PBR) with only one column and for the packed bed reactor with two columns in series, using as biocatalyst the lipase of Burkholderia cepacia immobilized on silica support modified with protic ionic liquid (PIL) (Nmethyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium Pentanoate). The reaction time was 24 h, temperature 40 °C, molar ratio between crude coconut oil and ethanol 1:7 and flow rate of 0.25 mL min-1. The maximum conversion was obtained for the fixed bed reactor with two columns in series (38.69 ± 1.21 %). Then, the reaction parameters were studied, such as temperature (30-60 ° C), molar ratio (1: 7 - 1:12) and flow rate (0.25 - 1.00 mL min-1). Maximum conversion was maintained for the initial reaction parameters.