Fatty Acids and Derivatives from Coconut Oil

Abstract

Coconut oil and palm kernel oil are import feedstocks in the oleochemical industry. Oleochemicals are defined as chemicals made from oils. Coconut oil is well positioned because it has the unique advantage of having its fatty acid composition falling within the carbon‐chain spectrum desired for the production of oleochemicals. C12–C14 fractions are highly sought after. The caproic to capric (C6–C10) fatty acid fractions are good materials for plasticizer range alcohol and for polyol esters. The latter are used in high‐performance oil for jet engines and for a new generation of lubricants. These fractions are also basic to the preparation of medium‐chain triglycerides, a highly valued dietary fat. The C12–C18 fractions are the primary raw materials for detergent‐grade fatty alcohols. Coconut fatty acids can be converted to other derivatives. Principles and methods in the manufacture of various oleochemicals are discussed. Detailed information is given for the following: fatty acids and fat‐splitting procedures; methyl esters and their advantages; fatty alcohols, which are gaining favor as surfactants because they are biodegradable and a renewable resource; glycerine; monoalkyl phosphates, which are used for fireproofing, foam inhibitors, in extreme pressure lubricants, and for cosmetic preparations; and alkanolamides, used as nonionic surfactants. Preparation of other surfactants prepared from vegetable oils is discussed. These surfactants find broad use in all industries, for example, as the main ingredients in detergents, emulsifiers, and sanitizers in the food industry, and as flotation agents in the mining industry. Tertiary amines are used as starting materials for the manufacture of quaternary ammonium compounds and in the preparation of amine oxides. These oxides are used in cosmetic preparation.

Reduction of Propionic Acid over a Pd-Promoted ReOx/SiO2 Catalyst Probed by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Transient Kinetic Analysis

“…2,8 The current industrial process to produce renewable fatty alcohols involves the reduction of fatty acid esters over a copper-based catalyst. 4,7,[9][10][11] Traditionally, the catalyst used in the process is copper chromite (CuCr2O4), also known as an Adkins-type catalyst, which consists of a mixed oxide of copper and chromium. It can be extruded with clay or other supports, and is mixed with alkali or alkaline earth metals to improve its activity.…”

Fatty alcohol production: an opportunity of bioprocess

“…If the suspension hydrogenation and fixed-bed hydrogenation that uses FAME as a substrate is contaminated with fatty acid, the yield will be affected. 109 The separation of water, methanol, fatty acid, and other impurities from FAME are therefore mandatory before hydrogenation. This adds to the cost of production and requires a large investment.…”

Oleochemicals from Palm Oil for the Petroleum Industry

“…Currently, increasing research efforts are going into formulating cheaper, biodegradable, and nontoxic surfactants, because the existing commercial surfactants are mostly slow-degrading compounds produced from petrochemicals [13]. In many instances, the products from their degradation are detrimental to the environment or to humans [87]. The high cost of commercial surfactants imposes additional challenges and limits their widespread application in the petroleum industry.…”