摘要 |
Described is a process for simultaneously purifying fatty alcohols and obtaining a fraction of free fatty acids, wherein: (a) crude fatty alcohols comprising up to 70% b.w. alkyl esters and/or wax esters are treated with alkaline bases in an amount sufficient to essentially convert said esters into alkaline soaps, (b) said alkaline soaps are separated from said fatty alcohols by extraction to produce a purified fraction of fatty alcohols and an aqueous soap phase, and (c) said soap phase is treated with strong mineral acids in order to release the fatty acids from the soaps. |