In the present work, an optimization method called Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was applied to study the kinetics of alkali-catalyzed rapeseed oil transesterification, using methanol, in a batch process. The validation of the PSO program was realized using numerical and experimental data from literature. The PSO method resulted in a 4 times lower error compared to classic methods used in the domain, which showed its efficiency and strength. After validation, an experimental study was led on the transesterification of rapeseed oil and methanol in a batch process using KOH as catalyst (1wt/wt %) with a methanol:oil molar ratio of 6:1 at 45 °C, 55 °C and 65 °C respectively. Then, PSO was used in order to determine the reaction rate constants ( ) of the reversible 3-steps of transesterification mechanism as well as the kinetic parameters (activation energy Ea and pre-exponential factor A). Then, the kinetic model was used in order to investigate the effects of methanol: oil molar ratio variation (3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 8:1, 12:1) on rate constants, yield and conversion rate at 65 °C. The results of the simulation showed a perfect agreement with experimental results.
Keywords: Chemical engineering; Kinetic study; Particle swarm optimization; Transesterification reaction.