Patent ID: 9670429
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: B01D,C02F,C10G,C10L,C11B,C11C,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Claim:
1. A separation method for separating water from a fat, oil and/or grease (FOG) containing liquid-type medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a water and FOG containing liquid-type medium, wherein the liquid-type medium is a viscous liquid, non-viscous liquid or an emulsion and the FOG containing liquid-type medium is trap grease that comprises free fatty acids and triglycerides; (b) providing a first cross-flow filtration cassette comprising: (c) directing the water and FOG containing liquid-type medium through the first cross-flow cassette to separate water from the FOG, and wherein the fatty acids and triglycerides are retained in the retentate stream; (d) combining the retentate stream of the trap grease with an alcohol and acid catalyst in a reaction vessel to cause an esterification reaction to convert the free fatty acids to esters; (e) separating the alcohol from the formed esters and triglycerides, wherein the alcohol is subjected to a second cross-flow filtration unit for purification and reuse or disposal; (f) combining the formed esters and triglycerides with an alkaline salt and methanol to cause a transesterification reaction to convert triglycerides to esters thereby forming crude biodiesel and crude glycerin; (g) separating the crude glycerin and methanol from the crude biodiesel using a third cross-flow filtration unit, wherein the methanol is removed and thereby forming a refined glycerin; and (h) removing the crude biodiesel for further refining.