High pressure splitting of castor oil

The effects of variations in pressure (20–40 kg/cm2), oil‐to‐water ratio (1:0.4–1:1, w/w) and time (0–8 hr) on the extent of hydrolysis of castor oil were studied. Higher pressure, lower oil‐to‐water ratio and longer duration gave higher percentage splits. At 40 kg/cm2 pressure and an oil‐to‐water ratio of 1:1, ca. 92% split was obtained in 8 hr. When the oil was hydrolyzed in 2 stages at 20 kg/cm2 with an oil‐to‐water ratio of 1:0.4, ca. 96% split was obtained in a total period of 10 hr. Splitting at 20 kg/cm2 gave minimal amounts of dienoic acids because of the decomposition of estolides.