Innovative Refining Process for Valorization of Vegetable Oil Deodorizer Distillates

IRODDI is an ambitious initiative that proposes the development of new greener processes for obtaining new bio-based products with specific properties/functionalities derived from the Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) contained in the deodorizer distillates residual streams of the deodorization process, the last step of the refining process of oils and fats. These newly obtained products will suppose an high added value for FFAs valorization in comparison to their conventional biodiesel application, as they will be used as (1) bio-compatible and eco-friendly surfactants with increased solubility in cold water (by chemical neutralization of FFAs with eco-friendly ILs), (2) biodegradable base-oils that can be directly used in the formulation of bio-lubricants (by enzymatic esterification of FFAs with glycerol) and (3) sustainable polyols for polyurethanes production (by chemical co-valorization of the base-oils obtained in the enzymatic processes of FFAs esterification). Moreover, in order to achieve the maximally possible added value of the deodorization distillates side streams, innovative technologies based on supercritical CO2 (scCO2) and ionic liquids extraction will be developed to isolate minor compounds with a high added-value under softer operational conditions, that will their high quality. One advantage of the IRODDI project is that the technologies developed could be applied individually or in an integrated process to maximize profits of deodorization distillates valorization. The outcomes of the project will be focused on the demonstration of the applicability of these components in different industrial sectors: food-grade detergents (surfactants), bio-lubricants (base-oils), adhesives (polyols), and cosmetics (minor compounds such as squalene).