Process for the continuous production of lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids

US5354878A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Joosten Connemann · Leer, DE
• Anton Krallmann · Bad Fallingbostel, DE
• Erich Fischer · Altdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 26, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 11, 1994
• Expiry date: Mar 26, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/03
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Production of lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids from an oil phase and lower alcohols by catalytic transesterification at reaction temperatures of up to 100.degree. C. in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, includes a) introducing a mixture of oil phase, alcohol and catalyst at reaction temperature into the top of a first reactor column, at a rate of flow which is lower than the sinking rate of the glycerine separated from the reaction mixture, b) the reaction mixture is passed into a second reactor for further transesterification, c) the thus obtained reaction mixture is further freed of glycerine in an initial separating stage by means of a short-term washing, d) the reaction mixture is passed into a third reactor with addition of further alcohol and catalyst, and at a rate of flow conforming to the first stage of the process, e) the reaction mixture is further transesterified, f) reaction product is freed of the remaining methanol, glycerine, soaps formed and catalyst in a second separating stage, under addition of an aqueous extraction buffer solution, and g) the reaction mixture is freed of lower alcohols by stripping, washed with suitable extraction and washing soluti…