Transesterification process
First Claim
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1. A process for making an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid via transesterification comprising the steps of:
- (1) reacting a carboxylic acid ester with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of a product ester and a product alcohol;
(2) passing the reaction mixture from step (1) through a centrifugal separation zone wherein the second alcohol is separated from the second ester.
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to a process for making an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid via transesterification comprising the steps of: (1) reacting a carboxylic acid ester with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of a product ester and a product alcohol; (2) passing the reaction mixture from step (1) through a centrifugal separation zone wherein the second alcohol is separated from the second ester. The process according to the invention allows for shorter reaction times and improved product yields.
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12 Claims
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1. A process for making an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid via transesterification comprising the steps of:
- (1) reacting a carboxylic acid ester with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of a product ester and a product alcohol;
(2) passing the reaction mixture from step (1) through a centrifugal separation zone wherein the second alcohol is separated from the second ester. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- (1) reacting a carboxylic acid ester with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of a product ester and a product alcohol;
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5. A process for making an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid comprising the steps of:
- (1) reacting a triglyceryl ester of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of alkyl ester, glycerine and unreacted triglyceryl ester;
(2) passing the reaction mixture from step (1) to a centrifugal separation zone to form a heavy glycerine phase and a light phase wherein the glycerine phase is continuously separated from the reaction mixture;
(3) recycling the light phase to step (1). - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- (1) reacting a triglyceryl ester of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of alkyl ester, glycerine and unreacted triglyceryl ester;
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9. A process for making an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid comprising the steps of:
- (1) reacting a triglyceryl ester of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of alkyl ester and glycerine;
(2) passing the reaction mixture from step (1) to a centrifugal separation zone wherein the glycerine is separated from the alkyl ester;
(3) passing the alkyl ester from step (2) through a second centrifugal separation zone wherein the alkyl ester is contacted with water to remove residual glycerine and other impurities. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- (1) reacting a triglyceryl ester of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol and an effective amount of a transesterification catalyst in a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture comprised of alkyl ester and glycerine;
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