Abstract: The present process for removing impurities from a triglyceride oil includes admixing a hydrolyzed phosphatide and water with the oil, separating the oil into an oil portion and a sludge portion and separating the sludge portion into an aqueous phase and an oil phase. The presence of the hydrolyzed phosphatides can aid the two separation steps. Recovery of oil from the sludge is thus possible.

Abstract: Process for refining a triglyceride oil comprising bringing the oil into contact with at least an amount of aqueous alkali solution equal to the stoichiometric amount required to neutralize the oil, forming a soapstock and separating said soapstock and oil characterized by bringing the oil into contact with the aqueous alkali solution at a temperature in the range of from 40.degree. to 140.degree. C. and forming at a temperature in the range of from 40.degree. to 140.degree. C. a soapstock which contains with respect to the initial fatty acid content of the oil at least about 0.7 wt % of electrolyte and which comprises a member selected from the group comprising a single phase of neat soap, a binary phase mixture of neat soap and niger, a binary phase mixture of neat soap and lye and a ternary phase mixture of neat soap, lye and niger. Each of the niger, lye and neat soap phases is a single phase comprising water, electrolyte and soap.