Abstract: The method of purifying an unrefined edible oil or fat by contacting the unrefined edible oil or fat with at least one adsorbent material. The at least one adsorbent material comprises magnesium silicate. The magnesium silicate may be used alone or in combination with other purifying materials, such as citric acid. Such method provides for improved removal of impurities, such as phosphorus-containing compounds, soap, chlorophyll, metals, and sterol glucosides from the unrefined edible oil or fat.

Abstract: The method of purifying an unrefined edible oil or fat by contacting the unrefined edible oil or fat with at least one adsorbent material. The at least one adsorbent material comprises magnesium silicate. The magnesium silicate may be used alone or in combination with other purifying materials, such as citric acid. Such method provides for improved removal of impurities, such as phosphorus-containing compounds, soap, chlorophyll, metals, and sterol glucosides from the unrefined edible oil or fat.

Abstract: The process utilizes the adsorbent column system as a treatment after chemical refining or before physical refining rather than water or filtration, respectively, to remove soaps and other impurities entrained in a crude triacylglycerol. The CDTAG or ORTAG is contacted with an adsorbent packed into a column, or multiple columns in series, for a sufficient amount of time to remove impurities such as, but not limited to, soaps, metals, chlorophyll, and many of the other compounds that reduce the stability of the TAG. The resulting TAG exiting the column(s) is ready for the deodorization process. Once the adsorbent no longer removes the desired amount of impurities, it is regenerated for reuse. Such a continuous regenerable adsorbent refining process substantially reduces the amount of fresh water required and the amount of waste water generated to purify TAG and reduces the amount of solid waste produced.

Abstract: A process for the continuous purification of biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE)) is described using a powdered, granulated or extruded adsorbent. The adsorbent is contained in a column system and is regenerated for reuse multiple times. The crude biodiesel is contacted with an adsorbent packed into a column, or multiple columns in series, for a sufficient amount of time to remove impurities such as, but not limited to, soaps, metals, free glycerin, sterol glucosides and many of the other impurities that reduce the stability of biodiesel. The resulting finished biodiesel exiting the column(s) is ready for the methanol recovery process. Once the adsorbent no longer removes the desired amount of impurities, it is regenerated for reuse. The solvent used for the regeneration process is reclaimed and reused by recycling it back to the transesterification reaction.

Abstract: A quick, economical and environmentally friendly, “green”, process for the continuous purification of biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE)) is described using a powdered, granulated or extruded adsorbent. The adsorbent is contained in a column system and is regenerated for reuse multiple times. The process employs an adsorbent such as, but not limited to, carbon, silica, clay, zeolite or a metal silicate contained in a column to remove the impurities from fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) or crude biodiesel in a continuous process. The process utilizes the adsorbent column system for the purification of biodiesel, rather than water or filtration, to remove soaps and other impurities entrained in a crude biodiesel.

Abstract: An economical and environmentally friendly, “green”, process for the continuous purification of triacylglycerol (TAG) is described using a powdered, granulated or extruded adsorbent, which can be used in either the chemical or physical refining of edible oils and fats, both of which are traditionally used to refine TAG. The adsorbent is contained in a column system and is regenerated for reuse multiple times. The process utilizes the adsorbent column system as a treatment after chemical refining or before physical refining rather than water or filtration, respectively, to remove soaps and other impurities entrained in a crude triacylglycerol. In the chemical refining process, the crude degummed triacylglycerol (CDTAG) is first refined to remove FFA, forming a once refined triacylglycerol (ORTAG), and then contacted with an adsorbent packed into column(s) prior to deodorization.

Abstract: A quick, economical and environmentally friendly, “green”, process for the continuous purification of biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE)) is described using a powdered, granulated or extruded adsorbent. The adsorbent is contained in a column system and is regenerated for reuse multiple times. The process employs an adsorbent such as, but not limited to, carbon, silica, clay, zeolite or a metal silicate contained in a column to remove the impurities from fatty acid alkyl esters (FAAE) or crude biodiesel in a continuous process. The process utilizes the adsorbent column system for the purification of biodiesel, rather than water or filtration, to remove soaps and other impurities entrained in a crude biodiesel.

Abstract: A process for treating cooking oil or fat which comprises contacting cooking oil or fat with magnesium silicate and at least one alkali material, such as, for example, calcium hydroxide. The magnesium silicate and at least one alkali material are present in amounts effective to reduce the content of free fatty acids in the oil or fat and permit reuse of the oil or fat for cooking. Such method provides for improved extension of the life of the cooking oil employed in restaurant-type and industrial frying operations.