Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction

The complex distribution of electric field and heat transfer in microwave heating causes unfavorable hotspots in a microwave-assisted transesterification process. This local overheating may reduce product yield significantly, thereby highlighting the importance of mixing during microwave-assisted bi...

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Main Authors: Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah, Mohamed, Hassan, Ong, Mei Yin, Yunus, Robiah, Law, Ming Chiat, Abd Hamid, Hamidah, Kania, Dina, Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V. 2025
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/1/120921.pdf
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author Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah
Mohamed, Hassan
Ong, Mei Yin
Yunus, Robiah
Law, Ming Chiat
Abd Hamid, Hamidah
Kania, Dina
Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra
author_facet Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah
Mohamed, Hassan
Ong, Mei Yin
Yunus, Robiah
Law, Ming Chiat
Abd Hamid, Hamidah
Kania, Dina
Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra
author_sort Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The complex distribution of electric field and heat transfer in microwave heating causes unfavorable hotspots in a microwave-assisted transesterification process. This local overheating may reduce product yield significantly, thereby highlighting the importance of mixing during microwave-assisted biolubricant production. This study investigated the distribution of electric field in the microwave-assisted transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (PME) and trimethylolpropane (TMP) for biolubricant trimethylolpropane ester (TMPE) production, as well as the temperature profile and the power absorbed, using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2. The electric field and power absorbed by the sample were 1.92×104 V/m and 1.38×107 W/m3, respectively, which are highly affected by the polarity of TMPE. Hotspots were observed and were primarily located in the upper corner of the TMPE sample, and a significant redistribution of the electromagnetic field within the oven cavity was measured. This study also concluded that the dielectric properties of the TMPE sample layer and frequency are highly influential factors for microwave absorption and heat conversion. This study can provide insight into the future design of microwave-assisted transesterification to enhance product yield and scale up microwave reactors.
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institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
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spelling upm-1209212025-10-15T07:43:55Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/ Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah Mohamed, Hassan Ong, Mei Yin Yunus, Robiah Law, Ming Chiat Abd Hamid, Hamidah Kania, Dina Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra The complex distribution of electric field and heat transfer in microwave heating causes unfavorable hotspots in a microwave-assisted transesterification process. This local overheating may reduce product yield significantly, thereby highlighting the importance of mixing during microwave-assisted biolubricant production. This study investigated the distribution of electric field in the microwave-assisted transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (PME) and trimethylolpropane (TMP) for biolubricant trimethylolpropane ester (TMPE) production, as well as the temperature profile and the power absorbed, using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2. The electric field and power absorbed by the sample were 1.92×104 V/m and 1.38×107 W/m3, respectively, which are highly affected by the polarity of TMPE. Hotspots were observed and were primarily located in the upper corner of the TMPE sample, and a significant redistribution of the electromagnetic field within the oven cavity was measured. This study also concluded that the dielectric properties of the TMPE sample layer and frequency are highly influential factors for microwave absorption and heat conversion. This study can provide insight into the future design of microwave-assisted transesterification to enhance product yield and scale up microwave reactors. Elsevier B.V. 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/1/120921.pdf Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah and Mohamed, Hassan and Ong, Mei Yin and Yunus, Robiah and Law, Ming Chiat and Abd Hamid, Hamidah and Kania, Dina and Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra (2025) Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction. Results in Engineering, 25. art. no. 104577. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2590-1230 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2590123025006553 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104577
spellingShingle Mohamad Aziz, Nur Atiqah
Mohamed, Hassan
Ong, Mei Yin
Yunus, Robiah
Law, Ming Chiat
Abd Hamid, Hamidah
Kania, Dina
Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra
Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title_full Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title_fullStr Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title_full_unstemmed Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title_short Numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
title_sort numerical simulation of hotspot in polyol ester production using microwave-assisted reaction
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120921/1/120921.pdf