Process for the continuous transesterification of fatty acid lower alkyl esters

US4976892A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien · DE

Inventors

• Lutz Jeromin · Hilden, DE
• Eberhard Peukert · Hilden, DE
• Bernhard Gutsche · Hilden, DE
• Gerhard Wollmann · Hilden, DE
• Bernard Schleper · Oberhausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 1989
• Grant date: Dec 11, 1990
• Expiry date: Mar 14, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C11C3/02
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the continuous transesterification of C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 fatty acid lower alkyl esters, particularly methyl esters, with polyhydric C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohols, particularly glycerol, in a reaction column comprising a rectifying and reaction section, alkaline catalysts and polyhydric alcohol are introduced into the upper part of the reaction column and boiling fatty acid methyl ester is introduced into the middle part of the reaction column. The product collected in the sump of the column is removed, heated and returned to the lower part of the reaction column. Product is removed from the sump. Lower alkanols passing from the reaction column section to the rectifying section are rectified. The reaction column is operated in boiling equilibrium in its lower part and predominantly in an absorption/desorption equilibrium in its upper part.