FATTY ACID PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: fat-and-oil industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to production of fatty acids via acid hydrolysis of vegetable oils and fats. Hydrolysis is carried out on bead mill in presence of acid catalyst at 92-98^оС and quantity of water comparable to its stoichiometric quantity. Starting quantity of water is chosen in dependence on quantity of acids in initial charge, which should be 0.6-1.4% at complete absence of acids and should be increased by 0.2% per each 6.2 mg KOH/g of initial acid number of oil or fat. Indicated quantity of water is made up of water introduced into oil or fat with catalyst and required water additive. Catalyst utilized is product obtained by sulfurization of toluene, individual xylenes, their mixture, or ethylbenzene with 90% or more concentrated sulfuric acid without removing unreacted sulfuric acid and reaction water, catalyst being added at 100-103^оС in the form of 55-70% aqueous solution preheated to 50-75^оС. Temperature of heating surface contacting reaction mixture is maintained at a level not below 133^оС. Quantity of immediately required water is found from acid number of sampled reaction mixture.

EFFECT: optimized process parameters.