Table 2. Equilibrium values for batch esterification of lactic acid with ethanol using different starting mixtures.

Initial water fraction x w,0 (mol/mol)	Lactic acid conversion at equilibrium X LA,Eq (-)	Time to equilibrium t Eq (h)
0.00	0.71	1
0.09	0.65	2
0.19	0.59	2.5
0.29	0.56	5