Abstract: Naturally occurring fats, oils and fatty derivatives are continuously hydrogenated to fatty alcohols in a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of hydrogen in excess and hydrogenation catalysts under static pressures of 50 to 300 bar and at temperatures of 160 to 320° C. The liquid product is cooled and the excess hydrogen is returned to the reactor entrance by a gas circulation pump as a recycle gas after separation of the liquid product. The expense involved in cooling and reheating the recycle gas is eliminated without any reduction in the quality of the fatty alcohol produced providing the recycle gas is returned to the reactor entrance without reheating and the hydrogenation reaction is carried out under static pressures of at least 200 bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process, more especially a discontinuous process, for conducting a reaction taking place at elevated temperature in which heat-sensitive products are formed. To increase the volume-time yield, a heat transfer unit independent of the reactor is used for heating. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the production of heat-sensitive products at elevated temperatures. This apparatus comprises a reactor and a heating system. To increase the volume-time yield, the heating system comprises at least one heat transfer unit arranged outside and connected to the reactor.