Process for the continuous production of lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Production of lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids from an oil phase and lower alcohols by catalytic transesterification at reaction temperatures of up to 100°C in the presence of an alkaline catalyst includes a) introducing a mixture of oil phase alcohol, and catalyst at reaction temperature into the top of a first reactor column, at a rate of flow which is lower than the sinking rate of the glycerine separated from the reaction mixture, b) the reaction mixture is passed into a second reactor for further transesterification c) the, thus obtained reaction mixture is further freed of glycerine in an initial separating stage by means of a short-term washing, d) the reaction mixture is …