Optimization of polyesterification process for production of palm oil modified alkyd resin using response surface methodology

The optimization of polyesterification process of air drying alkyd resin from non-drying palm oil was studied. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) involving 30 experiments of four process variables at five levels was employed in view of its economical way of obtaining optimal response with fewest number of experiments. Self cured resin was obtained by modification of the saturated structure of palm oil with glycerol via alcoholysis, followed by unsaturated functional group of phthalic anhydride via polyesterification. The studied process parameters were reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst concentration and PA:MGO ratio. Predictive model describing the fractional conversion in terms of process variables was derived from multiple regression analysis. Optimum fractional conversion of 97.28% was predicted at reaction temperature of 240.61 °C, reaction time of 150 min, catalyst concentration of 0.03% and PA:MGO ratio of 0.38:1, for the process. Extent of reaction at 120 min of polycondensation of the monomers was more than 85%. Model validation experiment shows good correspondent between the actual (96.04%) and predicted (97.28%).