SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFINING ALKYL ESTER COMPOSITIONS
First Claim
1. A method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition comprising:
- contacting a lipid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition including free fatty acids;
combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition including free fatty acids with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture; and
contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition comprising:
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contacting a lipid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition including free fatty acids; combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition including free fatty acids with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture; and contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of refining an alkyl ester composition comprising:
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combining an alkyl ester composition having an acid number of greater than 0.5 mg KOH/g oil with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture; and contacting the refining mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined alkyl ester composition having an acid number less than or equal to 0.5 mg KOH/g oil. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for producing a refined oil product comprising:
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a production reactor for producing a crude oil product mixture, the reactor comprising a first housing defining an interior volume, metal oxide media disposed within the first housing, a lipid reservoir in fluid communication with the production reactor, and an alcohol reservoir in fluid communication with the production reactor; and a refinement reactor in fluid communication with the production reactor, the refinement reactor comprising a second housing defining an interior volume, the second housing configured to receive the crude oil product mixture from the production reactor, metal oxide media disposed within the interior volume of the second housing, and a dimethyl carbonate reservoir in fluid communication with the refinement reactor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A device for removal of free organic acids from a crude product mixture comprising:
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a production housing defining an interior volume, an input port, and an output port; metal oxide media disposed within the production housing, the metal oxide media comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia, and titania; and a temperature control unit configured to maintain the temperature within the production housing at greater than about 200 degrees Celsius; a refinement housing defining an interior volume, an input port, and an output port; metal oxide media disposed within the production housing, the metal oxide media comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia, and titania; a temperature control unit configured to maintain the temperature within the production housing at greater than about 100 degrees Celsius; and a dimethyl carbonate reservoir in fluid communication with the refinement housing.
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Specification