Oleochemicals utilization

Fig. 34.35. Oleochemical derivatization pathways. (Modified from Zoebelein, H "Renewable resources for the chemical industry," INFORM, 3, 721-725 (1992), and Johnson, L. A. and Meyers, D. J "Industrial uses for soybeans," in Practical Handbook of Soybean Processing and Utilization, D. R. Erickson (Ed.), pp. 380-427, AOCS Press, Champaign, IL, 1995.)...

There is a strong competition between products derived from oleochemicals and those derived from petrochemicals. With the current awareness on environmental issues and preference for environmentally friendly products, the utilization of palm oil/palm oil products for nonfood applications via the oleochemicals route is also expected to increase. Due to the ready availability of raw materials, technology, capital, and market demand, the nonfood applications of palm oil/palm oil products are expected to have a bright future. 

Lipases (triacylglycerol hydrolases, EC 3.1.1.3) are enzymes that catalyze reactions such as hydrolysis, interesterification, esterification, alcoholysis, acidolysis, and aminolysis [1]. There is an increasing interest in the development of lipase applications to oleochemical transformations to obtain esters of long-chain fatty acids, as monoalkyl esters of fatty acids [2]. Utilization of lipase as a catalyst for the production of biodiesel, defined as a mixture of monoalkyl esters, is a clean technology due to its nontoxic and environmental fnendly nature, requiring mild operating conditions compared with chemical method [3]. 

Oleochemical feedstock sourcing for natural surfactants has been changing in recent years. Animal fats have lost ground in favor of vegetable oils, including the growing utilization of soybean oil [27]. 

Alkylpolyglycosides (APGs ) are formulated into dishwashing liquids (along with anionic surfactants) and in various specialty applications. They were the first major surfactant to utilize an oleochemical feedstock for the hydrophilic portion of the surfactant molecule. 

Meier MAR (2009) Metathesis with oleochemicals new approaches for the utilization of plant oils as renewable resources in polymer science. Macromol Chem Phys 210(13-14) 1073-1079... 

The need for new sources of oil and meal for human consumption and the possible discovery of novel oils with unique properties for use by the cosmetic and oleochemical industries has given the production and utilization of tropical fruits and fruit by-products renewed status. 

The economics of extraction and purification of vegetable oils is a major factor that determines the utility of plant sources as feedstocks of oleochemical manufacture. Once purified, however, the vegetable oil can be processed on an industrial scale using well-known conventional chemical reactions. 

Both the hydrophile and lipophile of surfactants can be derived from bio-based feedstocks. Figure 10.1 depicts the utilization of oleochemical feedstocks to manufacture food products, biofuels, chemicals, and materials as one would envision occurring within an oleochemical biorefmery. The latter term refers to the concept where an oleochemical (bio-based) feedstock is utilized in a chemical facility, which through various processing and separations schemes produces energy or fuel, chemical intermediates, materials, and other co-products. 

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