Patent ID: 8350068
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: C10M,C10N,C11C

Abstract:
1. A liquid-liquid extraction process for the purification of estolides comprising: a) supplying a feed for the process comprising estolides, and residual free fatty acids, wherein the residual free fatty acids are present in a concentration of from 15 to 25% by weight of feed; b) adding a polar solvent to the feed, in a quantity sufficient to achieve a feed:polar solvent ratio of from 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 (by weight) and stirring to keep the reaction mixture substantially homogeneous, in a temperature range of from 20° C. to 30° C.; c) separating the phases: a first phase comprising the solvent and extracted fatty acids, and a second phase, comprising the estolide and solvent; d) sending the second phase to a vacuum still, operating at pressures in the range of from 350 mbar to 390 mbar and at temperatures in the range of from 30° C. to 60° C., for recovery of solvent for later reuse in the process; and e) recovering the solvent from the first phase by distillation, for later reuse in the process.