Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Reg Seneca, LLC

Jared A Downey

Derek J Winkel

David A Slade

Cody James Ellens

Bradley Neil Albin

John P Jackam

Cody J Ellens

Methods and devices for economically producing a purified biodiesel product from feedstocks. Some embodiments of the methods comprise using at least one of a crude feedstock pretreatment process and a free fatty acid refining process prior to transesterification and the formation of crude biodiesel and glycerin. The crude biodiesel is then subjected to at least one biodiesel refining process which, in conjunction with feedstock pretreatment and free fatty acid refining produces a purified biodiesel product that meets multiple commercial specifications. A wide variety of feedstocks may be used to make biodiesel that otherwise would not meet the same commercial specifications, including corn oil, used cooking oil, poultry fats, fatty acid distillates, pennycress oil, and algal oils. The combination of feedstock refining and biodiesel refining processes is necessary to reduce problems associated with feedstocks having waxes, high free fatty acid levels, unacceptable color, high unsaponifiables levels, and high sulfur levels.

Methods and devices for producing biodiesel and products obtained therefrom

The present invention provides a method for producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester (FAAE) product from feed-stocks containing free fatty acids. The method comprises glycerolysis and transesterification processes combined with end-product refining. Products produced from a transesterification reaction are separated into a crude FAAE stream and a crude glycerin stream. The crude glycerin stream is further processed to produce a glyceride stream from which additional FAAEs may be produced.

Production of products from feedstocks containing free fatty acids

A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. The glycerin rich second liquid phase stream may further be purified to produce a purified glycerin product and a (second) wet alcohol stream. Neutralization of the alkaline stream, formed during the alkali-catalyzed transesterification process, may proceed by the addition of a mineral or an organic acid.

Production of biodiesel and glycerin from high free fatty acid feedstocks

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Ames, IA, United States of America

Jared A Downey