Purification of glycerin
US7126032B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C29/80
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for purifying glycerin recovered as a byproduct of biodiesel production comprises heating a glycerin effluent stream containing a low molecular weight alcohol, water and fatty acid esters of the low molecular weight alcohol to cause transesterification of the fatty acid esters to glycerides and additional low molecular weight alcohol. The reaction mixture is sparged with nitrogen to help remove water and low molecular weight alcohol, which drives the transesterification reaction towards glyceride formation. A wash water stream may also be added to the recovered glycerin stream from biodiesel production. Either before or following the transesterification reaction, an oil layer can be separated from the recovered glycerin stream by reducing the pH of the stream to below 7. Following separation of the oil layer and transesterification the glycerin stream is flash distilled to separate glycerin from water, salts, and glycerides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.