Process for the production of a fatty alcohol from a fatty acid

US9212114B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited · GB

Inventors

• Paul John CASSIDY · London, GB
• Robert Wild · Thornaby-on-Tees, GB
• Rikard Umberto Andersson · London, GB
• Simon Nicholas Tilley · London, GB
• Adrian Francis Backes · London, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 3, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 15, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C31/125
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a process for producing fatty alcohol, fatty acid is subjected to esterification with a lower alkanol to form a stream of lower alkyl fatty acid ester(s). The stream is vaporized and then subjected to hydrogenation. The stream is then subjected to transesterification in a wax ester reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkyl fatty acid ester(s) to lower alkanol and wax ester(s). The resulting stream is then separated to yield a fatty alcohol(s) steam, a wax ester(s) stream, and an overhead stream comprising fatty alkanol(s) and alkane. The overhead stream is reacted in a wax ester reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkyl fatty acid ester to lower alkanol and wax ester(s). The wax ester(s) formed from the alkane is separated, along with any water and/or lower alkanol present.