Process and plant for producing biodiesel

US8647396B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lurgi GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rudolf Boensch · Nackenheim, DE
• Eckhard Seidel · Frankfurt, DE
• Helmut Saft · Florstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 21, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 11, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 8, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/10
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

When producing biodiesel from fats, oils or split fatty acids rich in steryl glycosides, the light phase rich in fatty acid alkyl esters, which is obtained from the transesterification or esterification, is washed with water in a washing column, wherein the suspension layer formed is treated by stirring. In this way, the steryl glycosides are transferred into the light phase of the wash. In a subsequent treatment of the light washer phase with water in an intensive mixer, compact steryl glycoside/fatty acid alkyl ester/water agglomerates are obtained, which can easily be separated by means of centrifugation. From the light phase of centrifugation, on-spec biodiesel is obtained upon further processing by drying and/or filtration.This process is suitable for processing fats, oils or split fatty acids with a high content of steryl glycosides and avoids the use of auxiliary substances foreign to the process. It is characterized by simplicity of equipment and a low demand for energy.