An integrated process of catalytic hydrolysis and membrane separation for fatty acids production from lard oil

An integrated process of catalytic hydrolysis and membrane separation was developed for fatty acids (FAs) production from lard oil. Both sulphonated cation exchange resin (SCER) and 0.98g/g H2SO4 as catalysts were used to produce fatty acids (FAs) from lard oil by three-step hydrolysis, respectively. Simultaneously, polyethersulphone (PES) ultrafiltration membrane was employed to separate glycerol and water from the products. The hydrophilicity and morphology of the pristine and used PES membranes were characterized by contact angle measurement and field-emission scanning electronic microscopy, respectively. The final optimal yields of FAs obtained by SCER and H2SO4 catalysis at 100 degrees C and atmospheric pressure were 85.6% at 16.0h of operation and 94.5% at 18.0h of operation, respectively. Furthermore, the yield of FAs obtained from an integrated process of SCER-catalyzed hydrolysis and membrane separation achieved up to 99.9% at 10.0h, 90 degrees C, and operating pressure of 100kPa.