Process for production of esters for use as a diesel fuel substitute using a non-alkaline catalyst

• US 5,525,126 A
• Filed: 10/31/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
• Original Assignee: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
• Inventors: Norris, Max E., Basu, Hemendra N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howard, Jacqueline V.
• Application Number:
  US08/331,692
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 44/308, 44/388, 44/401, 554/167, 554/170, 554/174
• US Class Current: 44/308
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 67/03 by reacting an ester group with a hydroxy group
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 69/52 Esters of acyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids having the esterified carboxyl group bound to an acyclic carbon atom
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/026 for compression ignition
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 3/003 by esterification of fatty acids with alcohols C11C3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 3/10 Ester interchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

The present invention includes a process for producing esters from a feedstock that includes a fat or an oil. The process includes mixing the feedstock with an alcohol and a catalyst. The catalyst includes a mixture of calcium acetate and barium acetate The reaction mixture is heated at a temperature effective to make esters.

Claims

1. A process for producing esters from a feed stock utilizing a single catalyst without producing soap that includes a fat or an oil, comprising:

mixing the feedstock with an alcohol and a catalyst, the catalyst comprising a mixture of calcium acetate and barium acetate to form a reaction mixture; and

heating the reaction mixture at a temperature effective to form esters.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock includes a free fatty acid concentration of at least 40%.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is acidulated soybean soapstock.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is animal fat.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is vegetable oil.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is a mixture of animal fat and vegetable oil.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the alcohol is methanol.

8. The process of claim 1 and further including exposing the reaction mixture to a pressure of at least 400 psi.

9. A catalyst for making diesel fuel from a feedstock having oil or fat comprising calcium acetate and barium acetate wherein the calcium acetate and barium acetate are present in a ratio of 3:

1 calcium acetate-to-barium acetate by weight.

10. A fuel comprising a mixture of esterified monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, calcium acetate and barium acetate wherein the mixture has a percent of free fatty acids that is less than about 6% by weight.