Abstract: A tar-depleted, concentrated liquid smoke is made that has superior flavoring and coloring abilities, low phenolic content, and a low acid content. It may also be partially neutralized to form a low viscosity, partially neutralized, tar-depleted, concentrated, liquid smoke composition. Both the partially neutralized and unneutralized compositions are suitable for use in commercial process equipment to make smoke impregnated cellulosic food casings and to impart smoke color, odor and flavor to foodstuff encased therein.

Abstract: Heated hydrocarbon crude oil is passed into a first flash zone wherein it is separated into a first flash vapor and a first flash liquid. First flash vapor is water washed to remove soluble contaminants, and the resulting wash water and the first flash liquid are passed to a desalter. First flash liquid having substantial freedom from water soluble contaminants is passed from the desalter into a second flash zone wherein it is separated into a second flash vapor and a second flash liquid. The second flash liquid is passed into a conventional fractionation zone comprising a crude column and a vacuum column.