BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

摘要

There is provided a process for producing C1-C6 alkyl fatty acid esters or biodiesel. The process comprises providing a reactant fluid comprising a fatty acid, fatty acid glyceride or mixture thereof; providing a catalyst fluid comprising a C1-C6 alkyl alcohol and an acid or base catalyst; contacting the reactant fluid and the catalyst fluid in a thin film tube reactor comprising a tube having a longitudinal axis, wherein the angle of the longitudinal axis relative to the horizontal is between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees; rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis under conditions to produce C1-C6 alkyl fatty acid esters; and recovering the C1-C6 alkyl fatty acid esters or biodiesel from the reactor.