The invention relates to a composition preparation method for preparing a composition of estolides, the method comprising reacting an unsaturated compound of a type such as an acid or ester, with a saturated fatty acid; in the presence of a catalyst of a type such as sulphonic acid, the said method including no vacuum distillation step thereby making it possible to separate the monoestolides from the polyestolides. The invention also relates to a composition of estolides that is obtainable by the method according to the invention and the use thereof in lubricating compositions.

The present invention relates to a method for thickening a hydrophobic liquid. When a hydrophobic liquid is thickened in accordance with the invention, the liquid becomes significantly denser. Preferably, the hydrophobic liquid becomes a gel.

The present invention relates to a method for thickening a hydrophobic liquid. When a hydrophobic liquid is thickened in accordance with the invention, the liquid becomes significantly denser. Preferably, the hydrophobic liquid becomes a gel.

Animal and seed based triglycerides are oils used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, energy generation, etc. These triglycerides or glycerol esters are a mixture of triglycerides and free fatty esters (FFA) along with unsaponifiables and gums (MIU). FFA may range from very low, 1% or less, to more than 40% in some rendered animal oils. Corn oil from the wet or dry process of ethanol production may have from 7 to 15% FFA. The varying amount of FFA presents numerous process issues for downstream users of these oils especially in the production of biodiesel, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). FFA about 1 or 2% requires esterification as well as transesterification for the production of FAME. What is needed is a method to perform Glycerolysis. This disclosure describes an improved catalyst system as well as process equipment and operating conditions to allow economical commercialization of Glycerolysis.

Processes for the production of linear alkylbenzenes from a renewable feedstock. Prior to converting the side chains of the glycerides and free fatty acids of the feedstock into hydrocarbons, the feedstock is separated into a stream rich in C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 free fatty acids glycerides having C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 fatty acid side chains and at least one, preferably two, other glyceride streams. The stream rich in glycerides having C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 fatty acid side chains can be converted via deoxygenation into a stream rich in C.sub.9 to C.sub.14 hydrocarbons while the other glyceride streams can be used as vegetable oil. A C.sub.10 to C.sub.13 hydrocarbon fraction from the stream rich in C.sub.9 to C.sub.14 hydrocarbons may be dehydrogenated to form olefins which may be reacted with benzene to form linear alkylbenzenes. The linear alkylbenzenes may be used to produce surfactants.

Processes for the production of linear alkylbenzenes from a renewable feedstock. Prior to converting the side chains of the glycerides and free fatty acids of the feedstock into hydrocarbons, the feedstock is separated into a stream rich in C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 free fatty acids glycerides having C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 fatty acid side chains and at least one, preferably two, other glyceride streams. The stream rich in glycerides having C.sub.10 and C.sub.14 fatty acid side chains can be converted via deoxygenation into a stream rich in C.sub.9 to C.sub.14 hydrocarbons while the other glyceride streams can be used as vegetable oil. A C.sub.10 to C.sub.13 hydrocarbon fraction from the stream rich in C.sub.9 to C.sub.14 hydrocarbons may be dehydrogenated to form olefins which may be reacted with benzene to form linear alkylbenzenes. The linear alkylbenzenes may be used to produce surfactants.

A method for producing a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters: (a) providing a triglyceride including fatty acids with epoxide groups; (b) reacting the epoxide groups with carboxylic acid salts under basic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alkoxides; (c) protonating the vicinal ester/alkoxides to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alcohols; and (d) reacting the vicinal ester/alcohols with carboxylic acids under acidic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters.

A method for producing a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters: (a) providing a triglyceride including fatty acids with epoxide groups; (b) reacting the epoxide groups with carboxylic acid salts under basic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alkoxides; (c) protonating the vicinal ester/alkoxides to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alcohols; and (d) reacting the vicinal ester/alcohols with carboxylic acids under acidic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to drilling oil, and to a method of preparing the drilling oil, including converting C16 and/or C18 fatty acids derived from fat of biological origin into C15 and/or C17 olefins through decarbonylation.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to drilling oil, and to a method of preparing the drilling oil, including converting C16 and/or C18 fatty acids derived from fat of biological origin into C15 and/or C17 olefins through decarbonylation.