LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR THE PURIFICATION OF ESTOLIDES FOR USE AS LUBRICANTS

摘要

A process is described for the purification of estolides for subsequent use as lubricants. This purification process comprises the removal of free fatty acids present in the estolide by liquid-liquid extraction using an alcohol, preferably ethanol or methanol, as solvent, where the total acid number of the estolide after purification is less than 1 mg KOH/g of sample, which endows it with characteristics of oxidation stability suitable for its use as a lubricant.