Esterification reaction of oleic acid with a fusel oil fraction for production of lubricating oil

In this study, the esterification of oleic acid with a fraction of fusel oil was investigated. The variables that affect ester yield, such as temperature, molar ratio of oleic acid to alcohol, and amount of catalyst, were determined. Powdered silica gel was chosen to remove water instead of granular silica gel, magnesium sulfate, or benzene. The behavior of amyl alcohols and the fusel oil fraction was compared. The esterification reaction was carried out under the reaction conditions selected as optimal, and the ester conversion of the reaction was 97.3%. The product mixture compressed products, excess reactants, catalyst, and desiccant. Oleate ester and oleic acid (2.7%) were obtained using the refinement steps of filtration, evaporation, washing with distilled water, and drying over sodium sulfate.