Catalyst systems for biodiesel production
AssigneeEvonik Degussa GmbH
InventorsJohannes Ruwwe, Martin Lichtenheldt, Wolfgang-Wilhelm Orlia
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Abstract
A method to transesterify triglycerides in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a transesterification catalyst selected from the group of the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal alkoxides and the alkali metal hydroxides, and at least one activator other than the transesterification catalyst, selected from the group comprising salt compounds, titanates and non-salt compounds having a density of at least 0.9 g/ml, is provided. Additionally provided is a method to prepare biodiesel by transesterification of a natural fat.
Claims23
A method for preparation of a fatty acid alkyl ester, comprising:
- transesterifying at least one of a mono-, di- or triglyceride with a monohydric alcohol in the presence of a catalyst system to obtain a phase separated product mixture comprising a fatty acid alkyl ester phase and a glycerol phase;
- wherein the catalyst system comprises:
- a transesterification catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal alkoxide and an alkali metal hydroxide;
- and
- at least one activator, different from the transesterification catalyst, selected from the group consisting of a salt compound, a titanate and a non-salt compound having a density of at least 0.9 g/ml.
A method for preparing a biodiesel, comprising:
- transesterifying at least one natural fat with a monohydric alcohol in the presence of a catalyst system to obtain a phase separated product mixture comprising a biodiesel phase and a glycerol phase;
- and
- separating the glycerol phase from the biodiesel phase to obtain the biodiesel;
- wherein the catalyst system comprises:
- a transesterification catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal alkoxide and an alkali metal hydroxide;
- and
- at least one activator, different from the transesterification catalyst, selected from the group consisting of a salt compound, a titanate and a non-salt compound having a density of at least 0.9 g/ml.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.