Tall Oil Pitch Transesterification for Fatty Acid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tall oil pitch, a by-product in the cellulose industry, is difficult to process due to its high viscosity and molecular weight, limiting the separation of its components, particularly fatty acids and sterols, which are more valuable than the pitch itself, and existing methods for recovering fatty acids from their esters are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transesterification of sterol esters in tall oil pitch using a small-molecular organic acid, such as formic or acetic acid, to form carboxylic acid esters, facilitating the separation of free fatty acids and sterols at lower pressures through distillation, utilizing high shear forces and ultrasound to disperse and mix the pitch with the acid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tall oil pitch is processed by conventional distillation, then separation of components is attempted, but the high viscosity and molecular weight prevent effective separation of fatty acids and sterols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the pitch components through transesterification. The high molecular weight sterol esters are converted into lower molecular weight compounds (free fatty acids and sterols) by changing the ester bonds, which fundamentally alters the separability of the components without requiring complex processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary chemical reaction (transesterification with methanol or other alcohols) as a mediator to transform the difficult-to-separate sterol esters into separable components. This intermediary step converts the problematic high-viscosity ester bonds into free fatty acids and sterols that can be easily separated by distillation
2Ease of manufacture
If high vacuum and high temperature distillation is used to separate pitch components, then separation is attempted, but the high molecular weight of esters prevents reasonable distillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing transesterification before distillation. The sterol esters are pre-treated with alcohol to break them into free fatty acids and sterols, which have much lower molecular weights and can then be distilled at reasonable temperatures and pressures without requiring extreme conditions
3Productivity
If fatty acids are recovered from tall oil pitch, then valuable components are obtained, but existing hydrolysis methods are inefficient for this application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional hydrolysis method (which requires water and produces soap intermediates) with a transesterification process using alcohol. This substitution achieves more efficient fatty acid recovery by directly producing free fatty acids and sterol esters that can be easily separated, avoiding the inefficiencies of water-based hydrolysis
4Loss of energy
If tall oil pitch is used as fuel, then energy is obtained, but the value is only a fraction of the pure components contained in it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating and recovering the valuable pure components (fatty acids and sterols) from the pitch mixture. Instead of burning the entire pitch as low-value fuel, the process extracts the high-value fatty acids and sterols which can be sold separately, thereby capturing the full economic value of the components contained in the pitch
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the yield of fatty acids and simplifies the separation of sterols from tall oil pitch, allowing for more efficient recovery and utilization of these valuable components at reduced processing costs and pressures.
Implementation Method 1
transesterification of sterol esters in tall oil pitch using a small-molecular organic acid, such as formic or acetic acid, to form carboxylic acid esters
Implementation Method 2
utilizing high shear forces and ultrasound to disperse and mix the pitch with the acid
Implementation Method 3
facilitating the separation of free fatty acids and sterols at lower pressures through distillation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating tall oil pitch, which comprises sterol esters of fatty acids. According to the present invention, the esters of sterols and fatty acids are broken down, in which case especially formic acid esters or acetic acid esters of sterols are formed instead. The free fatty acids and sterol esters generated are distilled or separated in another way. Use of the present invention increases the yield of fatty acids and also facilitates the separation of sterols from tall oil pitch.