Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst used in the manufacture of fatty acid alkyl esters and a method for preparing fatty acid alkyl esters using the same. The invention provides a high hardness solid ceramic metal catalyst obtained by mixing and sintering 0 wt %-80 wt % active catalyst material with a support material, wherein the support material is a silica alumina that is a mixed metal oxide and the active catalyst material is at least one of oxides, carbonates, and hydroxides of any kind selected from magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), beryllium (Be), copper r (Cu), zirconium (Zr), strontium (Sr), tin (Sn), and barium (Ba). In addition, the invention provides a method for preparing fatty acid alkyl esters by performing transesterification and esterification of animal and vegetable oils and alcohols in the state where the ceramic metal catalyst is fixed within a reactor without processes for removing and purifying the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an alkylester of fatty acid with high purity via one-step continuous process by reacting an animal fat and/or vegetable oil with a lower alcohol in the presence of alkali catalyst by passing through a continuous tubular reactor while maintaining a single-phase, removing residual lower alcohol from the reaction mixture and removing residual glycerin, catalyst, etc. by phase separation. In accordance with the present invention, an alkylester of fatty acid can be produced with a high yield of 97% or more via one-step continuous process in a continuous tubular reactor without any limitation in flow types by reacting an animal fat and/or vegetable oil with a lower alcohol in the presence of alkali catalyst and carrying out a simple separating process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing an epoxide, in particular glycidol, wherein a cyclic organic carbonate, in particular glycerol carbonate, is heated under reduced pressure so as to carry out a reaction to contract the carbonate ring into an epoxide ring. According to the present invention, the reaction is carried out in a solid/liquid system in the presence of a polyol and a solid catalyst consisting of a type A zeolite or &ggr;-alumina. The method, which may be carried out continuously, enables the epoxide to be formed in a single step, the epoxide being exhausted in the form of vapor which only has to be extracted and separated from the carbon dioxide formed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing glycerol carbonate. This method consists of making urea and glycerol react at a temperature substantially between 90.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst bearing Lewis acid sites, in particular metallic or organometallic salts or supported metallic compounds. The invention enables glycerol carbonate to be obtained, by a catalytic carbamoylation/carbonation reaction, in a highly pure state under economic conditions.