Abstract:Fatty acid alkyl esters may be manufactured by transesterification
of triglycerides, which is essentially an equilibrium reaction of various
consecutive, reversible reactions. Process variables of (catalytic)
transesterification of triglycerides with alcohols, such as reaction
temperature, nature of the alcohol, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, catalyst type
and concentration, purity of reactants, and mixing intensity are critically
evaluated in relation to product yield. Various process intensification
methods are described, which take advantage of microwaves, ultrasonics,
supercritical fluids, dynamic turbulence or co-solvents. The benefits of insitutransesterification are also considered. Production of alkyl esters from
vegetable oils via non-catalytic reactions also has been evaluated