Process for the production of linear or branched fatty acid esters by heterogeneously catalyzed reactive rectification with a pre-reactor

摘要

A process is proposed for the continuous esterification of C1-C22- (fatty) acids with C1-C10-monoalkanols, C2-C5-di- or -trialkanols or mixtures thereof in the liquid phase in a countercurrent process, in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts in the pre-reactor ( 1) and in the reaction column (3), characterized in that a prereactor (1) and a separation unit (2) are connected upstream of the reaction column (3) to reduce the viscosity of the reaction mixture and via the separation unit (2) to shift the reaction equilibrium the reaction column (3) the water of reaction is removed from the system.