Charles Patrick

US Patent:

44643055, Aug 7, 1984

Filed:

Sep 23, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/421975

Inventors:

Charles H. Patrick - Greenville SC

International Classification:

C09F 500
C11B 100

US Classification:

260412

Abstract:

A process for the recovery of fatty acids from discarded solid soap material comprises the steps of: (a) stirring discarded solid soap material into a melt of one or more fatty acids at the melting temperature of the discarded soap which is usually from about 40. degree. C. to about 180. degree. C. until the soap material has dissolved in the fatty acid melt; (b) adding to the thus-produced solution of soap material in the fatty acid melt an amount of an undiluted acid sufficient to convert the soap material to free fatty acid and form one or more alkali metal salts, and heating and stirring at about 40. degree. C. to about 180. degree. C. to produce free fatty acid and one or more alkali metal salts; (c) separating the freed fatty acid in the fatty acid melt from the thus-produced salt of one or more alkali metals; and (d) refining freed fatty acids using filtration, distillation, decolorization, deodorization, etc. It is preferred that the lower melt temperatures be utilized to avoid discoloration, but time requirements dictated by the varying composition of the soap may make the use of the more elevated temperatures expedient.