Renewable Alternative to Petroleum-Derived Chemicals

The invention relates to the production of fatty acid alkyl esters by a novel process. The process uses inexpensive reagents and simple technologies to quickly and efficiently produce fatty acid esters. The process involves (a) saponifying a feedstock (e.g., soy soapstock) with an alkali to form a saponified feedstock, (b) removing the water from the saponified feedstock to form a dried saponified feedstock containing no more than about 10 percent water, (c) esterifying the dried saponified feedstock with an alcohol by acid catalysis to form fatty acid alkyl esters, and (d) recovering the fatty acid alkyl esters. There is continued and growing interest in the use of renewable resources as feedstocks for replacements of petroleum-derived chemicals. The preferred feedstock for the process of the invention is soy soapstock because soybeans are the predominant oilseed processed in the United States. Since its price can be as low as one-tenth that of refined vegetable oil, soapstock represents an inexpensive source of fatty acids compared to refined oils.

Please refer to Patent Number 6,399,800, "Process for the Production of Fatty Acid Alkyl Esters," which issued on June 4, 2002. 

Inventors:

Michael J. Haas  Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (215) 233-6459 / Fax: (215) 233-6795 mhaas@arserrc.gov	Scott Bloomer Land O Lakes Inc. P.O. Box 64101 St. Paul, MN 55164 (612) 481-2853 / Fax: (612) 481-2002
Karen M. Scott (Same as first inventor) (215) 233-6518 / Fax: (215) 233-6795 kscott@arserrc.gov