Continuous extraction of fatty acid from native oils and transesterification of such oils, involves extraction with alcohol, phase separation and reaction with alcohol in presence of catalyst, all with ultrasound assistance

摘要

A method for the continuous extraction of fatty acids from native oils and transesterification of such oils involves extraction with monohydric alcohol, phase separation and reaction of the oil phase with ester-forming alcohol in presence of catalyst, all stages being carried out with the application of ultrasound. A method for the continuous extraction of free fatty acids (I) and special constituents from native oils (II) and for the transesterification of (II) with alcohols involves: (a) extraction of a mixture of (I) and (II) with monohydric alcohol,; (b) phase separation; (c) reaction of the oil phase with excess ester-forming alcohol in presence of catalyst; and (d) separation of useful products such as tocopherols and steroids from the methanol phase. Stages (a), (b) and (c) are all carried out with the application of ultrasound. An Independent claim is also included for apparatus for this method, comprising (A) an extraction unit with (in sequence) a heat exchanger on the input side, a premixer connected directly to a low-frequency (LF) sonotrode reaction space, a high-frequency (HF) ultrasound transducer and a separator; and (B) a transesterification unit with a similar sequence of components.