Method and system for the esterification of fatty acids

Abstract

Method and apparatus for esterification of fatty acids or fatty acids contained in fats and oils with lower monovalent alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, including combining in a reaction section the fatty acids or fatty acids contained in fats and oils, and the alcohol to form a mixture, the combining forming enlarged interphases of the mixture by high or powerful dynamic shear forces and turbulence; at least one of strong mineral acid and acid ion exchange resin being present in the reaction section or a post-reaction section; starting esterification in the reaction section under pressure of 2 to 500 bar, and reducing pressure during the esterification so that a high interphase is maintained; and the esterification is carried out in the reaction section at a temperature of 50 to 300° C.

1 . A system for esterification of at least one of fatty acids or fatty acids contained in fats and oils with lower monovalent alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprising: 
 a reaction section capable of combining at least one of fatty acids or fatty acids contained in fats and oils, and lower monovalent alcohol to form a mixture, the combining forming enlarged interphases of the mixture by at least one of high or powerful dynamic shear forces and turbulence, said reaction section being constructed and arranged to obtain esterification of the at least one of fatty acids or fatty acids contained in fats and oils with the alcohol;    said reaction section comprising a pipe filled with mechanical devices providing high shearing forces and powerful dynamic turbulence in the reaction section; and    a pump introducing liquid into said reaction section at a high pressure.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical devices comprise at least one of balls, baffles and blades.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said pump comprises a high-pressure pump.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein said high pressure pump is capable of providing a pressure in said reaction section of 2 to 500 bar.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein said high pressure pump is capable of providing a pressure in said reaction section of 50 to 200 bar.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said high pressure pump is capable of providing a pressure in said reaction section of 70 to 150 bar.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical devices comprise balls.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said balls comprise balls of the same size.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said balls comprise balls of different size.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a post-reaction section following the reaction section.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising acid ion exchange resin in said post-reaction section.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein an ultrasound device is in said reaction section.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heater preceding said reaction section.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cooler following said reaction section.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cooler following said post-reaction section.