Patent ID: 8124572

Claim:
A method for integrated production of a biolubricant and a transportation fuel product from a common biomass feedstock, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a quantity of biologically-derived oil, said oil comprising triglycerides; b) processing the biologically-derived oil so as to hydrolyze at least some of the triglycerides contained therein so as to form free fatty acids therefrom, wherein the processing step comprises acid- or base-catalyzed hydrolysis, and wherein the fatty acids are of a type selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and combinations thereof; c) separating the fatty acids by type, such that at least the monounsaturated fatty acids are substantially isolated from the saturated fatty acids and the polyunsaturated fatty acids; d) modifying at least some of the monounsaturated fatty acids to form an ester product comprising triester species, wherein said ester product is suitable for use as a lubricant or component thereof, and wherein said modifying comprises the following substeps: i) esterifying monounsaturated fatty acids so as to form unsaturated esters; ii) epoxidizing the unsaturated esters to form epoxy-ester species comprising an epoxide ring; iii) opening the ring of the epoxy-ester species to form dihydroxy esters; and iv) esterifying at least some of the dihydroxy esters with an esterifying species so as to form an ester product, wherein the esterifying species is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, acyl halides, acyl anhydrides, and combinations thereof; e) esterifying at least some of the saturated fatty acids with a quantity of at least one alcohol species so as to yield a monoester product comprising a quantity of monoesters; and f) utilizing the monoester product as a transportation fuel or component thereof.