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Abstract

A process for producing lower alkyl esters of higher fatty acids from an oil phase and lower alcohols, in a catalytic transesterification process in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. A reaction mixture is provided by mixing oil-phase fatty acids with a solution comprising methanol and an alkaline catalyst comprising sodium methylate. The transesterification reaction of the reaction mixture is accelerated by subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature above the boiling point of methanol and pressurizing the reaction mixture sufficiently to prevent boil-off. A centrifugal separator separates glycerin phase from biodiesel phase of a resulting reaction product stream. The biodiesel phase is washed by counter-current extraction.

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