Process for preparing fatty acids by ester hydrolysis

US10696922B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Ingo Bauer · Bad Vilbel, DE
• Armin Brandner · Egelsbach, DE
• Gunter Brauner · Bad Wimpfen, DE
• Matthias Kasper · Rödermark, DE
• Peter POTSCHACHER · Frankfurt am Main, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 27, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 30, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C11C3/003
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and a plant are specified, with which free fatty acids can be obtained in a simple manner by hydrolysis of fatty acid alkyl esters, especially fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), or alternatively of fatty acid triglycerides present in oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin. According to the invention, a portion of the free fatty acids already produced is recycled back into the reaction mixture, which results in self-acceleration of the hydrolysis reaction.