METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ALKYL ESTER FATTY ACID USING FATTY ACID

摘要

Disclosed is a method for preparing alkyl ester fatty acid for biodiesel, wherein a fatty acid, particularly a fatty acid distillate, is reacted with alcohol so that a process for glycerin purification is not needed, and the conversion rate of fatty acid is excellent. Said method for preparing alkyl ester fatty acid includes an esterification step wherein a column type counter flow reactor is used wherein a plurality of trays are installed in a horizontal direction in the reactor so that a plurality of compartments may be formed in a vertical direction in the reactor, and openings are formed on said plurality of trays to connect neighboring trays vertically so that the openings of said neighboring trays are formed to cross one another, fatty acid raw material is introduced into the top and alcohol is introduced into the bottom of the reactor, and an esterification reaction is carried out in each tray under counter current conditions for fatty acid and alcohol, at a reaction temperature of 200-350°C, and a reaction pressure of 1-35 bar.