Patent ID: 7304153
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: C07H,C08G

Abstract:
1. A continuous process for preparing highly esterified polyol fatty-acid polyester by interesterifying polyol containing more than about four esterifiable hydroxy groups and fatty-acid ester of easily removable alcohol in a heterogeneous reaction mixture wherein a) a catalyst is used in the reaction mixture at an initial level of from about 0.01 to about 0.5 mole of catalyst per mole of polyol; b) a soap emulsifier is used in the initial stage of the process at a level of from about 0.001 to about 0.6 mole of soap per mole of polyol; c) the molar ratio of total ester reactant to each esterifiable hydroxy group of the polyol in the reaction mixture ranges from about 0.9:1 to about 1.2:1; d) the temperature in the initial stage of the process ranges from about 130° C. to about 140° C., and in the final stages of the process ranges from about 80° C. to about 120° C.; and e) easily removable alcohol is removed from the reaction mixture as the interesterifying reaction proceeds; and wherein the initial stage of the interesterifying reaction is carried out in a continuous manner under conditions of backmixing suitable for maintaining within said reaction mixture a level of lower partial fatty acid esters of said polyol that is sufficient to emulsify said reaction mixture.