System and process for production of fatty acids and wax alternatives from triglycerides

A system for producing a hydrogenated product, the system comprising:

• a reactor comprising an inlet for a stream comprising triglycerides, an outlet for volatilized fatty acids, and an outlet for a cross-linked product;
• heating apparatus whereby a contents of the reactor may be heated to a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C.;
• a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor;
• and
• a hydrogenation reactor, wherein an inlet of the hydrogenation reactor is fluidly connected to the outlet for cross-linked product.

A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system comprising:

• a high shear mixing device comprising a rotor and a corresponding stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the high shear mixing device operates at a shear rate of at least 20,000 s−1;
• a reactor in fluid communication with the high shear mixing device;
• a heating apparatus whereby a contents of the reactor may be heated to a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C.;
• and
• a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor.