Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided that produce fatty alcohols from the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway, as well as methods of their use.

The present invention relates to: a polymerizable compound represented by a formula (I); a polymerizable composition comprising the polymerizable compound and an initiator; a polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound or the polymerizable composition; and an optically anisotropic article comprising the polymer [in the formula, Y.sup.1 to Y.sup.8 are a chemical single bond, —O—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, or the like; G.sup.1 and G.sup.2 are a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or the like; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.1 is a tetravalent aromatic group, or the like; A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.4 and A.sup.5 are a divalent aromatic group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, or the like; A.sup.x1 and A.sup.x2 are an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms that includes an aromatic ring, or the like; A.sup.y1 and A.sup.y2 are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; and m and n are 0 or 1]. According to the present invention, a polymerizable compound, a polymerizable composition, and a polymer that have a practical low melting point, exhibit excellent solubility in a general-purpose solvent, can be produced at low cost, and can produce an optical film that achieves uniform conversion of polarized light over a wide wavelength band, and also provide an optically anisotropic article. ##STR00001##

A method for producing a fatty acid ester through desulfurization of sulfur from a fatty acid ester using a catalyst, wherein the catalyst carries a catalyst metal on a support, (a) the catalyst contains as the catalyst metal one or more elements selected from the elements of group 9, group 10 and group 11 of the periodic table, (b) the total pore volume of the catalyst is 0.05 mL/g or more, and (c) the volume of pores with a pore size of 0.1 μm or more and 500 μm or less is 50% or more of the total pore volume of the catalyst. A desulfurization method using the desulfurization and a method for producing an alcohol through hydrogenation of the fatty acid ester obtained through the desulfurization are also provided.

A method for producing a fatty acid ester through desulfurization of sulfur from a fatty acid ester using a catalyst, wherein the catalyst carries a catalyst metal on a support, (a) the catalyst contains as the catalyst metal one or more elements selected from the elements of group 9, group 10 and group 11 of the periodic table, (b) the total pore volume of the catalyst is 0.05 mL/g or more, and (c) the volume of pores with a pore size of 0.1 μm or more and 500 μm or less is 50% or more of the total pore volume of the catalyst. A desulfurization method using the desulfurization and a method for producing an alcohol through hydrogenation of the fatty acid ester obtained through the desulfurization are also provided.

There is described a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture and related products. In particular, there is described a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture comprising fats, oils and greases as are typically found in sewer waste. The process involves heating, acidifying and separating the mixture. The apparatus used includes a heating and separation device for separating into a solid fraction, an organic liquid fraction and an aqueous liquid fraction. Apparatus such as a three phase separation unit and a rotary vacuum filter may also be used.

There is described a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture and related products. In particular, there is described a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture comprising fats, oils and greases as are typically found in sewer waste. The process involves heating, acidifying and separating the mixture. The apparatus used includes a heating and separation device for separating into a solid fraction, an organic liquid fraction and an aqueous liquid fraction. Apparatus such as a three phase separation unit and a rotary vacuum filter may also be used.

The invention relates to a process for preparation of at least one of methacrylic acid and a methacrylic acid ester, comprising the process stepsgas phase oxidation of at least one C.sub.4 compound, quenching of the reaction phase, separation and purification of the obtained methacrylic acid and optionally esterification, wherein the C.sub.4 compound is a methacrolein comprising mixture, originating from at least two different methacrolein sources, a first methacrolein source being a feed stream obtained by the heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase oxidation of isobutylene or tert-butyl alcohol or isobutylaldehyde or a mixture of two or more thereof, a second methacrolein source being a feed stream obtained by the reaction of propionaldehyde with a C.sub.1 extending agent, preferably formaldehyde, and where said methacrolein can be obtained either completely from the first methacrolein source, or completely from the second methacrolein source or from any mixture of both.

A functional fluid useful as an emulsion in a cleaning product or a personal care product is the esterification reaction product of a) a triglyceride or a fatty acid or a methyl ester of a fatty acid, and b) an alcohol which comprises b1) a polyglycerol having at least 3 glycerol units (preferably polyglycerol-4), and b2) glycerol and/or diglycerol. The functional fluid is effective as a stabilizer and as an emulsifier for o/w and w/o emulsions. When a triglyceride is used as a reactant, glycerol and fatty acids are generated in situ by an interesterification reaction. Preferred functional fluids provide the significant benefit that they may be mixed into an oil phase and in a water phase before such phases are mixed together, and that such processing may be carried out at ambient temperature.

A functional fluid useful as an emulsion in a cleaning product or a personal care product is the esterification reaction product of a) a triglyceride or a fatty acid or a methyl ester of a fatty acid, and b) an alcohol which comprises b1) a polyglycerol having at least 3 glycerol units (preferably polyglycerol-4), and b2) glycerol and/or diglycerol. The functional fluid is effective as a stabilizer and as an emulsifier for o/w and w/o emulsions. When a triglyceride is used as a reactant, glycerol and fatty acids are generated in situ by an interesterification reaction. Preferred functional fluids provide the significant benefit that they may be mixed into an oil phase and in a water phase before such phases are mixed together, and that such processing may be carried out at ambient temperature.

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. 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.