1. A continuous process for the preparation of a composition useful as a fuel oil which comprises:
(a) reacting in a first closed vessel containing a first solid acid catalyst, a triglyceride and a lower alkanol containing
1 to 6 carbon atoms at a first elevated temperature to produce a first mixture comprising glycerol, monoglycerides, diglycerides
and triglycerides, lower alkanol, and transesterified fatty acid ester as a partial transesterification mixture; and
(b) reacting in a second closed vessel above a second acid catalyst the partial transesterification mixture and additional
of the alkanol, with an aldehyde, ketone containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a diether containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms below
the second acid catalyst at a second elevated temperature with removal of excess alkanol, and aldehyde, ketone or diether
from an upper portion of the second vessel, to form a mixture of the transesterified fatty acid ester and a glycerol acetal
which is removed from a lower portion of the second closed vessel to thereby provide the composition.
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