Kinetic parameter estimation and modelling of sucrose esters synthesis without solvent

In this paper, a kinetic model for the synthesis of the sucrose esters without solvent is developed. This synthesis is a heterogeneous reaction between the sucrose (solid) and the methyl palmitate (liquid) in the presence of a solid catalyst. We have established the kinetic model by steps, by first considering a homogeneous model and then by taking into account the heterogeneity of the medium. Thus, we have assumed additional steps in the model corresponding to the activation of the solid sucrose by the catalyst and autocatalytic steps. This activation parameter is associated to the viscosity of the medium. As a consequence of these observations, the study of the sensibility and the accuracy of the parameters allowed us to simplify the model.