Abstract: An emollient represented by the formula: wherein: R1 is CH3(CH2)m and may be interrupted with at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of amine, ether, ester, amide, sulfur, sulfur monoxide, sulfer dioxide, sulfamate, hydroxy, or mixtures thereof; and m=6-16 n=0 or 1 R2=H or CH3; and R3=CO(CH)2COOH or CO(CH2)2COOH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: An emollient represented by the formula: wherein: R1 is CH3(CH2)m and may be interrupted with at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of amine, ether, ester, amide, sulfur, sulfur monoxide, sulfer dioxide, sulfamate, hydroxy, or mixtures thereof; and m=6-16 n=0 or 1 R2?H or CH3; and R3?CO(CH)2COOH or CO(CH2)2COOH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock comprising combining triglycerides from the lipid feedstock with water to form a first reaction mixture, contacting the first reaction mixture with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a first product mixture including free fatty acids and glycerin, combining the free fatty acids with a diol to form a second reaction mixture, and contacting the second reaction mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a second product mixture. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock including combining the lipid feedstock with water to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst, the catalyst including a metal oxide. Methods can be used to form polyols, diols, and carboxylic acids, amongst others. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to carbon dioxide sequestration systems and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of sequestering carbon dioxide. The method can include mixing carbon dioxide with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate as a reaction product. In an embodiment, the invention includes a carbon dioxide sequestration system. The system can include a carbon dioxide supply source, an alcohol supply source, and a reaction vessel. A metal oxide catalyst can be disposed within the reaction vessel. The system can be configured to mix carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide supply source with an alcohol from the alcohol supply source to form a reaction mixture and contact the reaction mixture with the metal oxide catalyst. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.