Title: Method of making alkyl esters

Abstract

Methods of making alkyl esters are described herein. The methods are capable of using raw, unprocessed, low-cost feedstocks and waste grease. Generally, the method involves converting a glyceride source to a fatty acid composition and esterifying the fatty acid composition to make alkyl esters. In an embodiment, a method of making alkyl esters comprises providing a glyceride source. The method further comprises converting the glyceride source to a fatty acid composition comprising free fatty acids and less than about 1% glyceride by mass. Moreover, the method comprises esterifying the fatty acid composition in the presence of a solid acid catalyst at a temperature ranging firm about 70.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. to produce alkyl esters, such that at least 85% of the free fatty acids are converted to alkyl esters. The method also incorporates the use of packed bed reactors for glyceride conversion and/or fatty acid esterification to make alkyl esters.

Inventors:

Elliott, Brian ^[1]

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1. Wheat Ridge, CO

Issue Date:

Tue Sep 14 00:00:00 EDT 2010

Research Org.:

TDA Research, Inc. (Wheat Ridge, CO)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1017168

Patent Number(s):

7795460

Application Number:

11/381,924

Assignee:

TDA Research, Inc. (Wheat Ridge, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C07 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY C07C - ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

C - CHEMISTRY C11 - ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES C11C - FATTY ACIDS FROM FATS, OILS OR WAXES

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C - CHEMISTRY C07 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY C07C - ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

C07C67/08 - by reacting carboxylic acids or symmetrical anhydrides with the hydroxy or O-metal group of organic compounds
C07C69/24 - esterified with monohydroxylic compounds
C07C69/52 - Esters of acyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids having the esterified carboxyl group bound to an acyclic carbon atom

C - CHEMISTRY C11 - ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES C11C - FATTY ACIDS FROM FATS, OILS OR WAXES

C11C3/003 - {by esterification of fatty acids with alcohols

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E50/10 - Biofuels

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG02-04ER86169

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English