Tracy K. Hunt

Bio: Tracy K. Hunt is an academic researcher from Henkel. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fatty acid & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 66 citations.

Recovery of tocopherols

Abstract: Starting from a mixture containing tocopherol, fats and/or fat derivatives, more particularly fatty acids, and optionally sterol and/or sterol derivatives, the free fatty acids present in the mixture are esterified with an alcohol. The mixture is then transesterified with an alcohol in the presence of a basic catalyst. After the transesterification, the excess lower alcohol is distilled off from the reaction mixture. The transesterification catalyst and the glycerol present, if any, are removed and the fatty acid alkyl ester is distilled off from the mixture. Distillation of fatty acid alkyl esters can be accomplished with a packed column in sequence with a wiped film evaporator. The simultaneous recovery of tocopherol and sterol is possible. Tocopherols and sterols can be separated by the crystallization of sterols from a blend of organic solvents.

Process for the preparation of polyamides

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyamides comprising the steps of A) reacting a soybean oil condensate obtained from the deodorization of refined soybean oil and which contains less than 30% by weight of free and esterified oleic acid based on the total weight of free and esterified fatty acids in said condensate, with a C 1-4 alkanol in the presence of a zinc oxide catalyst to convert free fatty acids and fatty acid glyceride esters to fatty acid C 1-4 alkyl esters; B) removing excess C 1-4 alkanol, volatile reaction by-products, water, and the zinc oxide catalyst from the resulting reaction mixture; C) heating the reaction mixture from step B) under vacuum to obtain a distillate of fatty acid C 1-4 alkyl esters; D) separating the distillate from step C) into a fraction containing mostly C 16-18 saturated fatty acid C 1-4 alkyl esters and a second fraction containing mostly C 16-18 unsaturated fatty acid C 1-4 alkyl esters wherein the oleic acid C 1-4 alkyl ester content is less than about 35% by weight thereof; E) dimerizing said second fraction in the presence of montmorillonite clay; and F) reacting the dimerized second fraction with a polyamine.

Correlating the solubility behavior of minor lipid components in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract: Isolation of minor lipid components from complex lipid mixtures is receiving increased attention due to their biological activity and health benefits. Therefore, properties, health benefits and processing aspects of minor bioactive lipid components were reviewed. Literature solubility data of binary mixtures of minor lipid components (β-carotene, α-tocopherol, stigmasterol and squalene) and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) were correlated using Chrastil’s equation to determine the general trends of solubility behavior as affected by operating conditions and solute properties. Model parameters were estimated for the whole temperature range (a, b, k) and at each temperature (b′, k′). The slopes of solubility isotherms (k′) were in the range of 4.9–10.6 for β-carotene, 4.5–9.6 for α-tocopherol, 4.9–8.0 for stigmasterol and 7.3–7.6 for squalene. Estimated model parameters were used to compare solubility behavior of these solutes with components of olein glyceride series (oleic acid and triolein) as representatives of major lipid classes found in fats and oils. The findings provide the basis for the study of multicomponent lipid mixtures. Differences in the solubility behavior of components and the effect of operating conditions on solubility can be exploited for fractionation of these multicomponent mixtures to isolate the bioactive minor lipid components.

Hydrolysis of Epoxidized Soybean Oil in the Presence of Phosphoric Acid

Abstract: Ring-opening hydrolysis of epoxidized soybean oil in the presence of phosphoric acid was studied under varying experimental conditions. The influence of type and amount of solvents, phosphoric acid content and water content on the rate of ring-opening reactions and the characteristics of the derived products were studied. The soy-polyols prepared were characterized by determination of hydroxyl content, viscosity measurements, determination of average molecular weight and polydispersity index (GPC). The structural confirmation was done by FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The study shows that under the reaction conditions employed, a substantial degree of oligomerization due to oxirane-oxirane, and/or oxirane-hydroxyl reaction takes place. It is possible to synthesize soy-polyols having varying hydroxyl content and phosphate-ester functionality by controlling the type and amount of polar solvent and phosphoric acid content.

Production of biodiesel and glycerin from high free fatty acid feedstocks

Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. Biodiesel may be further recovered from the glyceride rich residue stream, by further separation of and/or processing of glycerides/free fatty acids contained therein. The glycerin rich second liquid phase stream may further be purified to produce a purified glycerin product and a (second) wet alcohol stream. Neutralization of the alkaline stream, formed during the alkali-catalyzed transesterification process, may proceed by the addition of a mineral or an organic acid.

System and process for producing biodiesel

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, systems for producing a biodiesel product from multiple feedstocks may include a biodiesel reactor, a decanter, a flash evaporator and a distillation column. In other embodiments of the present invention, a process for producing a biodiesel comprises distilling a biodiesel reaction product to remove tocopherols and sterol glucosides and, optionally, adding biodiesel stabilizers to the resultant biodiesel to enhance thermal stability. The components of the system are interrelated so that parameters may be regulated to allow production of a custom biodiesel product.