GLYCOL GLUCOSIDES PROCESS SYNTHESIS BY REACTIVE EXTRUSION WITH A STATIC MIXER AS POSTEXTRUDER REACTOR

Mixtures of starch (25% amylose), ethylene glycol, and concentrated su lfuric acid were extruded in a Brabender laboratory conical-twin- scre w extruder with postextruder reactor modifications. Three reactor mode ls were developed by adding a static mixer and heat exchanger to the d ie end of the extruder as postextruder reactor modifications. These mo dels affected the residence time and reaction efficiency and, thus, th e yield of glucosides. Process variables, including temperature, ethyl ene glycol-starch mole ratio, and screw speed, were permuted to enhanc e the yield of glucosides. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to identify the glucosides and evaluate yields. Response surface methodology was used to obtain optimum process conditions of 160 degre es C, 20 rpm screw speed, and mole ratio of 3 with a static mixer and cooler for 91% maximum yield of glucosides.