Abstract: A process of producing lactide from lactic acid is provided. The process comprises feeding lactic acid, a hydrocarbon solvent and at least one catalyst into a reactor to form a reaction mixture. The process further comprises reacting the reaction mixture in the reactor so that at least a part of the lactic acid is converted to lactide and water, while distilling at least a part of the reaction mixture to remove an azeotrope of water and the hydrocarbon solvent from the reactor. The process also comprises separating at least a part of the water from the azeotrope, and separating at least a part of the lactide from the reaction mixture. The at least one catalyst comprises a homogeneous catalyst comprising an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of: tin alkoxides, zinc alkoxides, aluminum alkoxides, titanium alkoxides, tin carboxylates, zinc carboxylates, aluminum carboxylates, titanium carboxylates and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The apparatus for the esterification of a fatty acid F includes a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporization. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.

Abstract: The PLANT for the esterification of a fatty acid F includes a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporisation. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.

Abstract: The method for the esterification of a fatty acid F is carried out in a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporization. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.

Abstract: A process and a device for the catalytic hydrolysis of a carboxylate, e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, i- or n-propyl acetate, i- or n-butyl acetate, allyl acetate and methyl formate, into the corresponding carboxylic acid and alcohol, by a combination of a pre-reactor and a reactive distillation column are disclosed. By the combination of a pre-reactor and a reactor distillation column, the conversion ratio can be substantially improved. The device can compensate for fluctuations in the supply quantity or in the composition of the feed flow. The product composition can also be controlled in a wide range.

Abstract: The method for the esterification of a fatty acid F is carried out in a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporisation. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.