This study presents an optimized process for producing long-chain alkyl acrylates via direct esterification in a helical continuous-flow microreactor. Addressing the inefficiencies of traditional batch esterification, such as low energy efficiency and slow mass transfer, this method utilizes continuous-flow chemistry for more effective, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient production. The microreactor, with a 10 m long and 0.5 mm diameter helical microchannel, which active volume was 3.925 ml, was examined for its performance influenced by reactant-catalyst ratios, temperature, and residence time. Results show significantly improved yields of myristyl acrylate (over 89 % in 300 s, respectively) while the residence time was 300 s at 110 ± 10 °C, with a molar ratio of 1-tetradecanol to acrylic acid of 1.3 and a catalyst to acrylic acid molar ratio of 0.1. Additionally, a second-order reaction kinetic model was developed to better understand the reaction dynamics in this setup. This research underscores the potential of integrating helical continuous flow with esterification, offering a novel approach to studying these mechanisms.

中文翻译：

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水环境下螺旋连续流微反应器中的直接酯化：优化、反应动力学和过程强化


本研究提出了一种在螺旋连续流微反应器中通过直接酯化生产长链丙烯酸烷基酯的优化工艺。该方法解决了传统间歇酯化的低效率问题，例如能源效率低和传质缓慢，利用连续流化学来实现更有效、更环保且更具成本效益的生产。该微反应器具有长 10 m、直径 0.5 mm 的螺旋微通道，其有效体积为 3.925 ml，检查了其性能受反应物-催化剂比例、温度和停留时间的影响。结果表明，在 110 ± 10 °C 下停留时间为 300 秒、1-十四烷醇与丙烯酸的摩尔比为 1.3、催化剂与丙烯酸的摩尔比下，丙烯酸肉豆蔻酯的产率显着提高（300 秒内分别超过 89%）。酸摩尔比为0.1。此外，还开发了二阶反应动力学模型，以更好地理解该设置中的反应动力学。这项研究强调了将螺旋连续流与酯化相结合的潜力，为研究这些机制提供了一种新方法。