Patent ID: 6262285
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: C11C

Abstract:
A low pressure process for the dry synthesis and continuous separation of products from the transesterification of triglycerides, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a catalyst at a first predetermined rate and providing methanol at a second predetermined rate;(b) mixing said catalyst and said methanol to form a feed solution;(c) providing triglycerides at a third predetermined rate;(d) mixing said triglycerides with said feed solution at a pressure, temperature and rate sufficient to produce a transesterified product having methyl ester and glycerol fractions, each of said fractions having a methanol component;(e) continuously separating said methyl ester fraction from said glycerol fraction by decantation in a manner so as to produce a dry methyl ester fraction substantially free of glycerol, thereby eliminating washing of glycerol from said dry methyl ester fraction; and(f) recovering excess methanol from each of said fractions using a dry vacuum system so as to produce a clean methyl ester product from one of said fractions, a crude glycerin product from the other of said fractions and recovered excess methanol substantially free of water from each of said fractions.