Apparatus for the esterification of a fatty acid
US7481981B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The apparatus for the esterification of a fatty acid F includes a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporization. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.