RE: Esterification

Hi all,
 
Want to ask you on your opinion on my setup for esterification of n-butanol and stearic acid.
 
I would like to get a product of n-butyl stearate by using 3 times the theoretical amount of n-butanol needed and sulfuric acid as catalyst.
 
I plan to place the n-butanol, stearic acid and sulfuric acid in a glass bottle and have it sealed.  Next is to place this bottle in a shaker to do the mixing.  Since i will not be using heat as a parameter to speed up the reaction.  I should try to remove the water formed during the reaction.  I have read that the sulfuric acid does act as a dryer by absorbing the water but what if i used silica gel and add it with the reactants.  Will this work to speed up the reaction?
 
Thank you for your kind suggestions and comments.
 
Ken

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