Method for producing fatty acid esters
First Claim
1. A method for producing fatty acid esters comprising transesterification of fatty acid triglyceride with a monovalent alcohol of 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst in a reaction mixture, wherein said fatty acid esters are removed from said reaction mixture by extraction using a near-critical extractant, except for carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions.
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Abstract
The invention concerns a method for producing fatty acid esters from fatty acid triglyceride and in particular from animal or vegetable fats and oils by transesterification with a monovalent low-molecular weight alcohol in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst. In accordance with the invention, the formed fatty acid ester is extracted from the reaction mixture by means of a near-critical extractant. In this way fatty acid esters are obtained at high yield and excellent purity. As the extractant preferably a low pressure gas having a reduced temperature at 20° C. of about 0.7, preferably of equal to or greater than 0.7, is employed. Preferred extractants are carbon dioxide, propane, butane, dimethyl ether, ethyl acetate or mixtures thereof.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A method for producing fatty acid esters comprising transesterification of fatty acid triglyceride with a monovalent alcohol of 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst in a reaction mixture, wherein said fatty acid esters are removed from said reaction mixture by extraction using a near-critical extractant, except for carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions.
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