Process for the Continuous Production of Fatty Acid Esters via Reactive Distillation

Abstract

Sulzer Chemtech develops chemical processes in close collaboration with its customers that lead to lower operating and investment costs as well as reduced environmental impact, while at the same time increasing the yield. In this context, innovative technologies and collaboration in global teams play an important role. This is exemplified by the continuous production of fatty acid esters using reactive distillation.

Reactive Distillation: Stepping Up to the Next Level of Process Intensification

“…The water/IPA mixture that leaves the top of the RD column is treated in a membrane system, in which water is pervaporated through the membrane while the dry IPA can be recycled. Similar processes are possible for other esterification reactions of fatty acids …”

“…An industrial team from Sulzer ChemTech reported a process for the continuous production of fatty acid esters via a membrane-assisted reactive distillation process -see Figure 8 (left). 60 In one example, the esterification of palmitic acid (PA) with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is described. The water / IPA mixture that leaves the top of the RD column is treated in a membrane system, in which water is pervaporated through the membrane while the dry IPA can be recycled.…”

“…Similar processes are possible for other esterification reactions of fatty acids. 60 A similar membrane assisted RD process was developed for the production of n-butyl acetate by transesterification of methyl acetate with n-butanol. 61 A strongly acidic ion-exchange resin (Amberlyst 15) was used as catalyst in the RD column which was equipped with structured catalytic packing Sulzer Katapak.…”

“…An industrial team from Sulzer ChemTech reported a process for the continuous production of fatty acid esters via a membrane-assisted reactive distillation processsee Figure (left) . In one example, the esterification of palmitic acid (PA) with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is described.…”

A review of biodiesel production by integrated reactive separation technologies

“…The production of fatty esters by reactive distillation (RD) was proposed for all sorts of alcohols, ranging from methanol, ethanol, propanol to 2‐ethyl hexanol,76, 81, 82, 95, 96 in a variety of configurations such as entrainer enhanced reactive distillation;90, 97 dual reactive distillation;67 thermally coupled reactive distillation,98 or RD with side‐draw 99. Consequently, a number of studies were also reported on biodiesel production by reactive distillation either describing experimental work or simulation results 27, 31, 34, 51, 100, 101, 103…”