A method for the production of one or more biopolyols, and a composition comprising one or more biopolyols produced therefrom

2:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more biopolyols have a moisture content of less than 3 wt. %;
• and/or a hydroxyl number of at least 75 mgKOH/g, and/or an acid number of less than 30 mgkOH/g, and/or a moderate dynamic viscosity of up to 20 Pa·s at 25° C.

3:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor is a continuously-stirred tank reactor or a continuous plug flow reactor.

5:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the glycerol- or glyceride-containing composition comprises glycerol, and/or vegetable oil, preferably used/waste cooking oil, preferably wherein the glycerol- or glyceride-containing composition comprises, or consists essentially of, or consists of, glycerol, most preferably crude glycerol, the crude glycerol preferably having less than 3 wt. % ash content.

6:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the feedstock is pre-mixed before being sent into the reactor in step (ii).

7:

• The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) includes mixing the feedstock whilst heating.

8:

• The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) includes heating to a first elevated temperature of from 110 to 170° C., preferably from 110 to 155, more preferably from 120 to 140° C., most preferably about 130° C., and wherein once the catalyst-containing mixture has reached the first elevated temperature, the catalyst-containing mixture is held at the first elevated temperature for a period of from 20 mins to 3 hours, more preferably from 30 mins to 2 hours, and most preferably about 60 mins.

9:

• The method of claim 1, wherein as soon as the second elevated temperature is reached, the mixture is held at the second elevated temperature for a period of from 0 mins to 2 hours, preferably from 0 to 40 mins, more preferably from 0 to 30 mins, and most preferably 0 mins.

10:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the reactor is operated:
• (a) under an inert atmosphere or under air, preferably under air, and/or
• (b) at partial vacuum of from 10 to 100 kPa, preferably from 30 to 80 kPa, and preferably from 40 to 60 kPa.

11:

• The method of claim 1, wherein as soon as the second elevated temperature is reached, the mixture is held at the second elevated temperature for a period of from 0 to 15 mins, and wherein the reactor is operated under air, and wherein step (iii) includes adding the catalyst to the mixture in an amount of about 2 wt. %, by dry weight of the initial glycerol- or glyceride-containing composition, and wherein step (iv) includes adding the neutralizing agent in an amount of from 1 to 2.5 wt. %, by weight of the catalyst-containing mixture present at the end of step (iii) to neutralize the mixture.

12:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the acid catalyst is a strong acid with a pKa greater than 1.74, and more preferably wherein the acid catalyst comprises sulphuric acid and/or phosphoric acid and/or hydrochloric acid and/or nitric acid.

13:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the acid catalyst is added to the mixture in an amount of from 0.5 to 5 wt. %, by dry weight of the initial glycerol- or glyceride-containing composition, preferably in an amount of from 1.5 to 2.5 wt. %, and more preferably about 2 wt. %.

14:

• The method of claim 1, wherein step (iv) includes adding the neutralizing agent in an amount of from 0.2 to 5 wt. %, preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt. %, and more preferably from 1 to 2.5 wt. %, by weight of the acid-treated mixture present at the end of step (iii).

15:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid to solid ratio of the feedstock is from 15:1 to 3:1.

16:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of steps (iii) to (v) have a duration of from 30 minutes to 6 hours.

18:

• The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the reactor is maintained at from 10 to 100 kPa, preferably 30 to 80 kPa, and more preferably at about 50 kPa.

19:

• A composition comprising one or more biopolyols produced by the method according to claim 1.