A mathematical model for limonene epoxidation over PW-Amberlite in a batch reactor was developed and used for reactor simulation and optimization. The mathematical model was validated by comparison of predicted and experimentally determined limonene conversion under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions (23-50 degrees C) and for several limonene/oxidant molar ratios. By a sequential simulation and an optimization approach using genetic algorithms (GA), the temperature profiles minimizing the energy consumption and the variability of limonene conversion were obtained. Simulation of limonene epoxidation using the optimal temperature strategies showed that it is possible to achieve a limonene conversion of 80% in a shorter period of batch time when compared to typical isothermal conditions at 33 degrees C. The proposed model may also be used to scale up the catalytic system. As an illustrative example, an optimization formulation was proposed to estimate the minimum volume (18 L), the aspect ratio (height/diameter, H/D = 1.7), and the temperature profile that maximizes limonene conversion and minimizes energy consumption to obtain at least 1000 g of limonene epoxide.