Parametric and kinetic study of solvent-free synthesis of solketal using ion exchange resin

The ketalization reaction of glycerol with acetone for solketal formation was performed using a gel-type ion exchange resin, Indion 225H in a solvent-free medium. The experimental parameters molar ratio, catalyst loading, rate of stirring, and temperature were analyzed and evaluated for their impact on the conversion of glycerol. A kinetic model based on the Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) equation described the kinetics of the heterogeneous system. The parameters were evaluated using the ode45 solver and Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization function on MATLAB software. The activation energy for the ketalization of glycerol was found to be 39.3 kJ/mol, the enthalpy of adsorption of water was −23 kJ/mol. The present work provides an economical path for the valorization of biodiesel-derived glycerol.