Abstract: A process for producing lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids from an oil phase and lower alcohols, in a catalytic transesterification process in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. A reaction mixture is provided by mixing oil-phase fatty acids with a solution comprising methanol and an alkaline catalyst comprising sodium methylate. The transesterification reaction of the reaction mixture is accelerated by subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature above the boiling point of methanol and pressurizing the reaction mixture sufficiently to prevent boil-off. A centrifugal separator separates glycerin phase from biodiesel phase of a resulting reaction product stream. The biodiesel phase is washed by counter-current extraction.

Abstract: A process for producing lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids from an oil phase and lower alcohols, in a catalytic transesterification process in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. A reaction mixture is provided by mixing oil-phase fatty acids with a solution comprising methanol and an alkaline catalyst comprising sodium methylate. The transesterification reaction of the reaction mixture is accelerated by subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature above the boiling point of methanol and pressurizing the reaction mixture sufficiently to prevent boil-off. A centrifugal separator separates glycerin phase from biodiesel phase of a resulting reaction product stream. The biodiesel phase is washed by counter-current extraction.

Abstract: A method of continuously carbonizing a mixture of primarily organic waste material wherein a stream of comminuted waste material with a substantial organic material content is fed to one end of a mixer barrel, the material is compressed to form a barrel filling mass functioning as a first vapor block, and the work energy required to compress it and squeeze out entrapped air is used virtually exclusively to maintain the temperature of the material adiabatically, air and any steam created are vented, the material downstream from the first vapor block is decompressed in a second vent region, the material is recompressed in the absence of air to form another vapor block, while exclusively utilizing the work energy required to compress it to maintain the temperature of the material adiabatically at volatile releasing and carbonizing temperatures, the volatiles are vented, and the product is discharged as a dry, friable particulate char.

Abstract: A method of continuously carbonizing a mixture of primarily organic waste material to a high British Thermal Unit char product wherein a stream of comminuted garbage material with a substantial organic material content is fed to one end of a mixer barrel, the material is compressed to form a barrel filling mass functioning as a first vapor block, and the work energy required to compress it and squeeze out entrapped air is used virtually exclusively to raise the temperature of the material adiabatically, air and any steam created are vented, the material downstream from the first vapor block is decompressed in a second vent region, the material is recompressed in the absence of air to form another vapor block, while exclusively utilizing the work energy required to compress it to raise the temperature of the material abiabatically to a volatile releasing temperature in the neighborhood of 400.degree. F. to 600.degree. F.