Conversion of free fatty acids to ethyl esters
AssigneeAurora Algae, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Gerard Hippler, Louis Anthony Kapicak, Kristen Potter
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for converting free fatty acids to ethyl esters. An exemplary method may comprise contacting the free fatty acid with a non-polar solvent. A mineral acid and an alcohol may then be added to form a two-phase mixture. An aqueous phase my subsequently be removed from the mixture. The processes and methods may be used in the manufacture of supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and beauty products, feedstocks, and the like.
Claims30
A method for converting a free fatty acid into an ethyl ester form of the free fatty acid, comprising:
- contacting the free fatty acid with a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture;
- adding a mineral acid and an alcohol to the first mixture to form a second mixture;
- heating and agitating the second mixture to form a two-phase mixture;
- and
- removing an aqueous phase from the two-phase mixture.
A method for converting a free fatty acid into an ethyl ester form of the free fatty acid, comprising:
- contacting algal oil containing free-fatty acids with a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture, the algal oil representing by weight from approximately 3% to 15% of the first mixture;
- adding sulfuric acid and ethanol to the first mixture to form a second mixture, the sulfuric acid representing by weight from approximately 0.4% to 5% of the second mixture, and the ethanol representing by weight approximately 3% to 30% of the second mixture;
- heating and agitating the second mixture to form a two-phase mixture;
- and
- removing an aqueous phase from the two-phase mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.