A pilot scale continuous reactor was used to synthesize glycerol acetates that are di and triacetin (with a high percentage of tri compared to di) in a solvent free media using glycerol and acetic acid and homogeneous catalysts. Paratoluene sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid was used as catalyst, and the effect of several variables on the yield and the selectivity of the reaction were investigated such as catalyst type and their concentration, reactor temperature, acetic anhydride addition as an acetylating agent and the design of reactor. The yield and selectivity of synthesized glycerol acetates also glycerol conversion in each experiment was determined using GC-FID. The effect of temperature on the reaction was also iected from 110 to 140?C with 1 wt% paratoluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. Results showed that wih increasing temperature, the percentage of glycerol conversion also triacetin selectivity increased. Increasing paratoluene sulfonic acid concentration at 140?C led to higher selectivity of triacetin and glycerol conversion. When sulfuric acid was used as catalyst, a large amount of by-products were obtianed that limits the solubility of synthesized product in fuel. The decolorization of product was carried out by means of several decolourizing agents, among them activated bentonite by sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid 3 5 M had the maximum influence.
