Dual Catalyst Esterification

摘要

Methods, processes, apparatus, equipment and systems are disclosed for converting carboxylic acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst. The method combines a homogenous and heterogeneous catalyst in one or more reactors to increase the conversion of carboxylic acids compared to using a homogenous and/or heterogeneous catalyst independently. The invention converts free fatty acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst such that the reaction mixture contains sufficiently low free fatty acids and the amount of free fatty acids in the product stream leaving the process remains stable over time.

主权项

1. A method for producing esters, comprising:
providing an alcohol from an alcohol source; providing a feedstock from a feedstock source, wherein the feedstock has a carboxylic acid content; and reacting the alcohol and the feedstock in a reactor with a homogenous catalyst and a heterogeneous catalyst to produce a reaction mixture having a carboxylic acid content which is lower than the carboxylic acid content of the feedstock, wherein the homogenous catalyst and the heterogeneous catalyst each have an activity.