Abstract: The invention is a process for the continuous liquid-phase esterification of C.sub.2 -C.sub.24 fatty acids with alkanols in countercurrent contact and reaction in a reaction column, the catalysts and fatty acids are introduced at the top plate and the alkanols below the lowest plate, at a head pressure of the reaction column of 200 to 900 hPa. The process reduces dehydration of the alkanols.

Abstract: A process for the continuous transesterification of C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 fatty acid lower alkyl esters, particularly methyl esters, with polyhydric C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 alcohols, particularly glycerol, in a reaction column comprising a rectifying and reaction section, alkaline catalysts and polyhydric alcohol are introduced into the upper part of the reaction column and boiling fatty acid methyl ester is introduced into the middle part of the reaction column. The product collected in the sump of the column is removed, heated and returned to the lower part of the reaction column. Product is removed from the sump. Lower alkanols passing from the reaction column section to the rectifying section are rectified. The reaction column is operated in boiling equilibrium in its lower part and predominantly in an absorption/desorption equilibrium in its upper part.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of wastewaters heavily polluted by fats, proteins and/or carbohydrates of vegetable or animal origin or their processing products by degradation by microorganisms in a continuous flow reactor without separation of fats and/or sludges, comprising passing the wastewasters through a first part of a reactor containing aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms to consume the free oxygen present in the water, with at least partial degradation of the pollutants to fermentation products, and on flowing through another, adjoining part of the reactor, the fermentation products and any pollutants still present are coverted in the presence of the anaerobic microorganisms into--predominantly--digester gas and biomass. Optionally, fertilizing and/or pH-stabilizing substances or other auxiliaries are added in order to reduce the susceptibility of the system to failure.

Abstract: A process for reducing the free fatty acid content of fats and oils by esterifying the free fatty acids with a lower monoalcohol in the presence of an acidic cation exchange resin as a solid esterification catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of clear sodium silicate solution with an SiO.sub.2 :Na.sub.2 O weight ratio of 1-2.8:1 by fusing sand in aqueous sodium hydroxide using a pressure-sealed circulating suspension reactor having an upper portion comprising a partially tapered gravity thickener and a lower portion comprising a cylindrical jet loop mixer. The jet loop mixer has a concentric cylindrical insertion tube suspended therein, and a recirculating power jet nozzle is upwardly directed through the bottom of the jet loop mixer so that its stream is directed into the lower end of the insertion tube, causing a continuous circulation flow.

Abstract: An improved process for purification of glycerol obtained from natural sources comprising alkalizing a glycerol-containing crude mixture in the presence of air for oxidation, evaporating the mixture in a thin-layer evaporator with redistillation of the residue, rectification and reevaporation in a packed column characterized by low-pressure-loss plates with a falling-film evaporator designed for internal and external partial condensation and to separate off unwanted constituents of the mixture, bleaching the product with activated carbon and separating the bleach in known manner.

Abstract: The epoxidation of terminally and/or internally olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds which are liquid at 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. and at atmospheric pressure (oil phase), in which the oil phase is treated with an acid phase containing acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid in aqueous solution, after which the aqueous acid phase is separated from the oil phase, the peracetic acid in the aqueous acid phase is regenerated and the regenerated aqueous acid phase is returned to the epoxidation reactor. Epoxidation is carried out using an aqueous acid phase containing at most about 10% by weight of peracetic acid, and the peracetic acid content in the aqueous acid phase is reduced by at most about 50%, based on the peracetic acid content of the aqueous acid phase used, after a single passage through the epoxidation stage. After separation from the oil phase, the aqueous acid phase preferably is cooled before regeneration.

Abstract: A process for the nondegenerative distillation of C.sub.6 -C.sub.24 -fatty acids, of the type obtained by splitting natural fats and oils or by synthetic processes, such as for example the oxidation of paraffins, the crude product is thermally dried under reduced pressure, the dried and heated crude product is subjected to fractional evaporation in falling-film evaporators, optionally in the presence of superheated steam, and the various vapor fractions are deposited in condensers. The thermal drying process is conducted at a temperature of 60.degree.-80.degree. C. and a pressure of 90-100 mbars. The de-watered crude product is fractionated in a film-forming evaporator and, after distillation, passes to a rectification column which condenses the low boiling constituents as the main runnings.

Abstract: In a multistage process for the continuous epoxidation of double bonds of terminal and non-terminal olefins containing more than 12 carbon atoms, unsaturated higher fatty acids and their lower alkanol and lower alkanediol esters and also unsaturated fatty alcohols containing from 8 to 18, preferably 18, carbon atoms and triglycerides of higher fatty acids including unsaturated fatty acids, preferably soyabean oil, using performic acid formed in situ from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, the reactants, olefin and hydrogen peroxide/formic acid, are passed at ambient pressure in cross-counter flow through an at least three-stage reaction cascade. The olefinic phase is introduced into the first reaction stage, the hydrogen peroxide and the formic acid are introduced in separate streams into the penultimate reaction stage and the olefin phase and the hydrogen peroxide/formic acid phase (acid water phase) are separated from one another in a phase separator after each reaction stage.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of triacetin consisting essentially of continuously charging liquid glycerol into a first liquid reaction area through which acetic acid vapors and water vapors flow, said liquid reaction area being divided into a number of separate individual areas through which liquid glycerol and liquid acetin reaction products flow in one direction and gaseous acetic acid and water flow in a countercurrent direction, continuously charging acetic acid vapor to a separate individual area where said liquid mixture has an OH number of less than 600, continuously separating a liquid mixture of acetins and water having an OH number of less than 600, continuously passing said liquid mixture into a second liquid reaction area, continuously adding thereto liquid acetic acid anhydride in an amount sufficient to react with water dissolved in said liquid mixture to form acetic acid and to react with monoacetin and diacetin present to form triacetin and continuously recovering triacetin.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of epoxidized olefinic compounds comprising continuously reacting a mixture of an olefinic compound, a carboxylic acid, a strong mineral acid catalyst and a hydrogen peroxide characterized in that the reaction is conducted in the presence of an excess of water under evaporative cooling conditions whereby the desired reaction temperature is maintained, separating the epoxidized olefin from the aqueous acid solution and recycling the aqueous acid solution.

Abstract: A method for separating fatty substance mixtures into components of different melting points by the "Rewetting or Hydrophilization Process," with the heat removal necessary for cooling and crystallizing higher melting fatty substance fractions being obtained essentially by vacuum evaporation of an aqueous, non-surface-active electrolyte solution in direct contact with the fatty substance mixture.THE PRIOR ARTThe separation of fatty acid mixtures or of fatty acid ester mixtures into components of different melting points by a wetting agent process is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,493, July 23, 1957, Stein et al. This process has become known as the "Rewetting or Hydrophilization Process." According to this patent, a mixture of solid and oily fatty substance particles is transformed by means of a wetting agent solution, optionally containing non-surface-active electrolyte, into a dispersion of separate solid and oily fatty substance particles.