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.
103 Citations
20 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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Specification