GB822436A - Method of and apparatus for the continuous splitting of oils or fats - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of splitting fatty oils in two or more autoclaves comprises passing the oil successively in countercurrent to the splitting medium, suitably steam, through the autoclaves, and is characterized in that in each autoclave having two tranquillizing chambers and a vapour chamber in common with the main reaction chamber, a separation of the reaction mixture into a solution of glycerol is effected in one tranquillizing chamber and into split or partially split oil in the other tranquillizing <PICT:0822436/III/1> chamber, and that, from the tranquillizing chambers, at least one separated component is fed with a free fall to the outside of the autoclave or into the next autoclave. As shown, a suitable apparatus comprises autoclaves 1-4, each containing a tranquillizing chamber 9-12 for split oil and a further tranquillizing chamber 17-20 for glycerol water. A pump 21-24 is also associated with each autoclave, and the vapour chambers 31-34 are maintained at a common pressure by means of line 35. Oil to be split passes along line 37, which contains a heat-exchanger 56 heated by fatty acid leaving the process, and then along line 38 to be sprayed into autoclave 1, together with a mixture of partially split oil and water which is removed from autoclave 1 by line 39, and glycerol water removed from autoclave 2 by line 40. Steam is passed into the autoclave through lines 30, 29, as a result of which partially split oil rises up below the lower edge of partition 5 and separates from the water in chamber 9, which is not sprayed. This oil falls through line 42 and is subsequently mixed with the mixture of partially split oil and water withdrawn from autoclave 2, before being introduced into autoclave 2 by means of pump 22 and line 46. The split oil therefore passes successively through autoclaves 1-4, while the glycerol water is progressively enriched as it passes in turn through autoclaves 4-1. The fatty acid is eventually run off from autoclave 4 through sluice 93, and the glycerol water from autoclave 1 through sluice 57, the rates of run-off being controlled by valves 95, 92 operated by floats 94, 91. A constant rate of throughput is obtained by means of throttles 97-100. Two other embodiments, similar in principle, are also described, in one of which the contents of the autoclave are mechanically agitated.