Products Beyond Biodiesel
The ET Process® can
- Co-produce phytochemicals and zoochemicals
- Produce high value-added products through reactions of oil with higher alcohols
Phytochemicals and zoochemicals. Due to the mild operating conditions used in the ET Process®, substances like carotenoids, tocotrienols, tocopherols, phytosterols and polyphenols, can be preserved in the product and recovered during downstream processing. The simplified chart below shows the products that can be derived from crude palm oil after it has undergone degumming and metal ion removal. In addition to the production of biodiesel and glycerol, nutrients such as Vitamin E or Provitamin A (Terpenes) can be co-produced.
High value-added products. The ET Process® is viable for other applications, such as biolubricants, biosurfactants, biosolvents, cosmetics and fine chemicals. It can easily be used to manufacture products via reaction of oil with higher alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol, n-butanol, isobutanol or 2-ethyl hexyl alcohol and lauryl alcohol. Some examples are presented below.
Example 1
Glyceryl ricinoleate is used as an emulsion stabilizer, surfactant and dispersant. In cosmetics, it may be used primarily as a skin protecting agent. It also serves as a plasticizer, solvent, low temperature lubricant and latex paint stabilizer for freeze-thaw situations. Methyl ricinoleate is also used as fuel enhancer. It is used as components of epoxy resins and as starting materials for polymers. It can also be used as softeners in the textile industry.
Example 2 .jpg)
Example 3
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Glycerol monolinolenate has promising uses in cancer therapy and neurodegenerative diseases.
Note: The conversion of fatty acid ester into monoglyceride product can be done using the MG Process.