Method for purifying an inert gas while preparing lower alkyl esters

摘要

A process for purifying an inert gas stream from a transesterification reaction wherein a lower alkyl alcohol is released during the reaction is claimed. A second use of the process is to make a lower alkyl, e.g., methyl, esters of fatty acids through a transesterification reaction using gaseous alcohols as a source of the lower alkyl alcohols. The alcohol is diluted with nitrogen or other inert gas carrier and reacted with a fatty acid ester, preferably a triglyceride, to form the corresponding methyl or lower alkyl fatty acid ester.