Process intensification of lipase catalyzed isopropyl ester synthesis by integration with hydrophilic pervaporation: Experimental results, engineering aspects and techno-economic analysis

This work reports an integrated reaction and separation process for the enzymatic synthesis of isopropyl palmitate (IPP) and isopropyl laurate (IPL). Experimental tests for IPP synthesis integrated with hydrophilic pervaporation mode demonstrated the potential of the technology with a stable performance (similar to 99% fatty acid conversion) without decline in enzyme activity and membrane performance over 5 consecutive tests. A technoeconomic analysis was made for a facility producing 2000 metric tons of IPL per annum using the experimental results. Furthermore, a hybrid mathematical model was developed incorporating both mechanistic and empirical features. Comparison of model results with the experimental data led to the identification of areas which need further improvement. Pervaporation integrated with lipase catalyzed solvent free synthesis of IPP and IPL has not been reported so far. Hence, the findings presented in this study provide a valuable insight into these technologies. More importantly, the developed systematics can be extended to the solventless production of other important esters.