US 12,297,404 B2
Process and system for producing biodiesel
Pulinkumar N. Patel, San Marcos, TX (US); and Kei Fuchigami, Buda, TX (US)
Assigned to Chemtor, LP, Lockhart, TX (US)
Appl. No. 17/440,929
Filed by CHEMTOR, LP, Lockhart, TX (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 20, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/023860
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 20, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/191294, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 24, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/821,671, filed on Mar. 21, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0162518 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. C11B 3/00 (2006.01); B01D 11/04 (2006.01); B01D 17/04 (2006.01); C11C 3/00 (2006.01); C11C 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC C11B 3/001 (2013.01) [B01D 11/0488 (2013.01); B01D 11/0492 (2013.01); B01D 17/047 (2013.01); C11C 3/003 (2013.01); C11C 3/04 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of producing biodiesel using a conduit contactor in fluid communication with a collection vessel, the method comprising:
introducing a first stream comprising an alcohol proximate a plurality of fibers positioned within the conduit contactor and extending proximate to the collection vessel;
introducing a second stream comprising an oil into the conduit contactor proximate to the plurality of fibers, wherein the second stream is in contact with the first stream;
reacting the oil and the alcohol to form a single phase;
receiving the single phase in the collection vessel; and
separating biodiesel from the single phase;
wherein separating biodiesel from the single phase comprises:
(i) introducing a third stream comprising water and an acid proximate a plurality of fibers positioned within a second conduit contactor and extending proximate to one or more collection vessels: introducing the single phase into the second conduit contactor proximate to the plurality of fibers; and withdrawing separately biodiesel and the third stream from the one or more collection vessels; or
(ii) introducing a third stream comprising water and an acid into the conduit contactor proximate the plurality of fibers; introducing the single phase into the conduit contactor proximate the plurality of fibers; and withdrawing separately from the conduit contactor the biodiesel and the third stream.