Abstract: Methods of preparing granular compositions containing lecithin, preferably as a major or sole ingredient, are described. Granular lecithin-containing compositions are also described and can be prepared by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A method for processing vegetable oil miscella is provided. The method includes steps of feeding vegetable oil miscella to a conditioned polymeric microfiltration membrane, and recovering a permeate stream having a decreased weight percent of phospholipids compared with the weight percent of phospholipids provided in the miscella. The retentate stream can be further processed for the recovery of lecithin. The polymeric microfiltration membrane can be conditioned for the selective separation of phospholipids in the miscella. A method for conditioning a membrane for selective separation of phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella, and the resulting membrane, are provided. The membrane which can be conditioned can be characterized as having an average pore size of between about 0.1? and about 2?.

Abstract: A low pulp beverage is made by passing a feed juice through a filter aid to form a retentate and a filtrate. The filtrate has from between 0.01% to about 2% solids by volume. Substantial portions of the solids are particles sized from between 30 to about 200 microns, and the low pulp beverage has a cloud stable for at least 15 days.

Abstract: A method of removing liquid from a suspension by concurrently subjecting the suspension to the action of a pulsed D.C. electrical field and in a second embodiment a concurrent sonic or ultrasonic field so as to remove liquid from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a liquid removal chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to the liquid. The sonic or ultrasonic field may then be optionally applied to the suspension concurrently with the pulsed electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause liquid to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and liquid to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Liquid is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of liquid, has a more advantageous rate of liquid removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if a steady electrical field is applied.

Abstract: A method of dewatering an aqueous suspension by concurrently subjecting the aqueous suspension to the action of a sonic or ultrasonic field and an electrical field so as to remove the water from the suspension. The suspension is moved into a dewatering chamber between opposing electrodes one of which is permeable to water. The sonic or ultrasonic field is then applied to the suspension concurrently with the electrical field, at a frequency and amplitude adapted to cause water to separate from the suspension particles. The concurrently applied electrical field between the electrodes causes the particles to migrate away from the permeable electrode and water to migrate toward the permeable electrode. Water is then removed through the permeable electrode. The method requires less energy to remove a unit of water, has a faster rate of water removal and achieves a lower moisture content than if only an electrical field or acoustical field were used separately or in sequence.