IMMOBILIZED ESTERIFICATION CATALYSTS FOR PRODUCING FATTY ACID ALKYL ESTERS
First Claim
1. A process for forming a fatty acid alkyl ester, the process comprising contacting a lipid material with an alcohol in the presence of a zirconium(IV) metal salt conjugated to a solid support and at a temperature from about 25°
- C. to about 75°
C., whereby the alcohol reacts with a free fatty acid in the lipid material to form the fatty acid alkyl ester.
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Abstract
Provided herein are processes for the production of biodiesel. In particular, provided is an esterification process in which an alcohol reacts with free fatty acids in a lipid material comprising free fatty acids and glycerides in the presence of an immobilized zirconium(IV) metal salt to form fatty acid alkyl esters. Also provided is combination process in which an esterification reaction converts the free fatty acids in a lipid material to fatty acid alkyl esters and a transesterification reaction converts the glycerides in the material to fatty acid alkyl esters.
30 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A process for forming a fatty acid alkyl ester, the process comprising contacting a lipid material with an alcohol in the presence of a zirconium(IV) metal salt conjugated to a solid support and at a temperature from about 25°
- C. to about 75°
C., whereby the alcohol reacts with a free fatty acid in the lipid material to form the fatty acid alkyl ester. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- C. to about 75°
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21. A process for forming a biodiesel solution, the process comprising:
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(a) contacting a lipid material with an alcohol in the presence of a first catalyst to form a first solution, wherein the lipid material comprises free fatty acids and glycerides, and the first catalyst comprises a zirconium(IV) metal salt; and (b) contacting the first solution with a second catalyst selected from the group consisting of an N-heterocyclic carbene and an alkaline agent to form the biodiesel solution. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification