US 7,678,340 B2 · Esterification and transesterification systems, methods and apparatus

Abstract

Esterification and transesterification methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed which increase the efficiency of esterification reactions. The methods comprising utilizing an annular gap reactor comprises a rotor rotating within a stator to provide an annular flow passage comprising a flow path containing a high-shear treatment zone in which the passage spacing is smaller than in the remainder of the zone to provide a subsidiary higher-shear treatment zone. In exemplary embodiments, the reactor is modified to include an evaporator portion including an opening in the stator near the end of the reactor and a series of fins placed in the opening. Increase in the rates due to the annular gap reactor allow for the use of less catalyst, poorer catalysts, lower temperature and reduction in unwanted side reactions at more economically favorable conditions.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method to efficiently conduct esterification and transesterification reactions comprising:

providing an annular gap reactor to provide more efficient mixing, wherein the annular gap reactor is operating in laminar flow conditions in the absence of Taylor vortices;
providing an evaporator attached to the annular gap reactor, the evaporator including an opening in the stator near an end of the reactor and a series of fins placed in the opening to allow gasses and vapors to leave the reactor and prevent fluids from leaving the reactor;
providing a condenser placed above the opening to collect the gasses and vapors leaving the reactor;
introducing reactants into the annular gap reactor;
and
mixing the reactants to produce the desired ester.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Esterification and transesterification systems, methods and apparatus

Life of this patent

Esterification and transesterification systems, methods and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15