PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR PREPARATION OF ESTERS OF LEVULINIC ACID

摘要

A process for converting sugars to esters of levulinic acid comprises mixing alcohol and glycerol with a feed stock comprising one or more sugars to create a reaction mixture of alcohol, glycerol and the feedstock is disclosed. The reaction mixture is contacted with an acid catalyst. The contact between the acid catalyst and the reaction mixture is maintained at an effective temperature and pressure for a specific time period so as to cause a desired reaction to result in a product stream. The product stream is separated into components by virtue of the difference in their boiling points, miscibility or specific gravity. Esters of levulinic acid, glycerol, alcohol and additional by-products are recovered from the product stream.

主权项

1. A process for converting sugars to esters of levulinic acid comprising:
(a) mixing alcohol and glycerol with a feed stock comprising one or more sugars sufficient to create a reaction mixture of alcohol, glycerol and feed stock; (b) contacting said reaction mixture with an acid catalyst; (c) maintaining said catalyst contact with said reaction mixture at an effective temperature and pressure for a specific time period so as to cause a desired reaction to result in a product stream; (d) separating said product stream into components by virtue of the difference in one or more of their boiling points, miscibility and specific gravity; (e) recovering alcohol and glycerol; (f) recovering esters of levulinic acid; and (g) recovering additional by-products.