Kinetics of esterification of tri-ethylene glycol-methacrylic acid reaction system

420-423Catalysis of esterification reaction of triethylene glycol and methacrylic acid has been reported. A kinetic empirical expression correlating the fractional conversion of methacrylic acid, with catalyst concentration, mole ratio (glycol to methacrylic acid) and temperature is presented for tri-ethylene glycol-methacrylic acid reaction system using methane sulphonic acid and sulphuric acid as homogenous catalyst

Selective esterification of triethylene glycol with methacrylic acid using methane sulphonic acid

324-325The esterification of tri-ethylene glycol with methacrylic acid under identical conditions of catalyst concentration, for synthesis of tri-ethylene glycol di-methacrylate using sulphuric acid and methane sulphonic acid as catalyst is discussed. The reaction by-products are lesser in case of methane sulphonic acid catalyst, in comparison to sulphuric acid catalyst. Therefore the yield of ester product, tri-ethylene glycol di-methacrylate, achieved during the synthesis is higher with the use of methane sulphonic acid as a catalyst, than on use of sulphuric acid as catalyst. This concludes that methane sulphonic acid has better catalyst selectivity in comparison to sulphuric acid, for the synthesis of tri-ethylene glycol di- methacrylate. Methane sulphonic acid when neutralized is easily bio-degradable which is also desirable from environmental point of view

Bee colony optimised mass rapid transit routing prototype

© 2016, ICE Publishing: All rights reserved. Mobility is an essential aspect for tourists visiting large cities; thus, an effective and efficient route guide for tourists to move in, around and out of the cities is needed. This research aims to develop an light rail transit (LRT)/mass rapid transit (MRT) routing prototype by applying the bee colony optimisation (BCO) and to pilot run this system to determine its functionality and workability. Through a questionnaire survey conducted among 900 LRT/MRT users in Klang Valley and data analysed using the BCO algorithm, a BCO-LRT/MRT routing prototype for Klang Valley was developed to assist tourists, especially those who are spending shopping vacations but unfamiliar with this region. With the assistance of this prototype, travellers can optimise the vacation schedule even in a very limited duration. The route determined by this prototype consumes much shorter duration than the one that the LRT/MRT users preferred. It can establish a route covering more than one destination. This prototype did not yet cover business centres, scenic spots and hotels; thus, a huge potential for the BCO-LRT-MRT prototype to upgrade is expected in a future study