Abstract: Deodorizing and/or physical refining of relatively small, varying charges of high-boiling liquids, viz. fatty acids, edible oils, fats, glycerides and other high-boilding esters, is conducted continuously in a single-stage or multi-stage falling-film column (20) through the trickle passages (23) of which stripping steam is passed in counter-current flow. In the supply conduit (15, 15', 15", 15'") leading to the falling-film column and in the discharge conduit (30, 30', 30", 30'") leading away from the bottom (26) of the falling-film column a plug-flow of the liquid is maintained. Upon a change of charge the fresh liquid to be treated is normally introduced into the supply conduit--without any blank charge--directly following the liquid of the preceding charge. Charging of the liquid onto the deflector (22) in the head (21) of the falling-film column is interrupted for a short period of time when the front of the liquid of the fresh charge has reached a check valve (16) disposed adjacent said deflector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the degassing, dehydrating and lower boiling component separation during straight-run distillation of crude fatty acids. The crude fatty acids are degassed in the degassing stage at such temperatures and pressures in counter current flow with stripping steam that no appreciable dehydration or lower boiling component separation takes place at this stage, then the degassed crude fatty acid is then led to a precut column for dehydration and lower boiling component separation, whereby the falling film concentrator column operates as a partial condensation stage for the creation of the reflux of the fatty acids, which is necessary for the lower boiling component separation, and that the easily boiling component evaporates almost completely in the precut column and is led off from the precut column in vapor form, together with the water.

Abstract: Deodorizing and/or physical refining of cocoa butter and cocoa butter substitutes is carried out in accordance with the principle of continuous counter-current falling film stripping steam distillation in at least two different zones, where different flow and current conditions prevail for the liquid film and the vapors, respectively. In the initial zone 10 the vapors pass through trickle passages having a hydraulic equivalent diameter greater than the hydraulic equivalent diameter in the final zone 22.The working pressure in the top of the falling film column 10 is maintained below 2.0 mbar, and in the bottom of the falling film column 22 it is maintained by at most 1.6 mbar in excess of that in the falling film column 10. The accumulation of any significant liquid content in the bottoms of the serially operating zones is avoided. Stripping steam is supplied in an amount of 2 to 10 kg of steam per 100 kg of charged liquid.

Abstract: The deodorization and/or physical refining of high-boiling organic edible oils, fats and esters is carried out according to the principle of continuous counter-current falling film stripping steam distillation in an internally imposed temperature field in at least two different zones having different flow conditions for the liquid film and the vapors, respectively, prevailing therein. In the initial zone 10 directly adjacent the liquid charge and ensuring at least two separation stages the vapors flow through trickle passages having a hydraulic equivalent diameter of 73 to 150 mm. If necessary, this initial zone may be subdivided, wherein in the first sub-zone the trickle passages are provided with hydraulic equivalent diameters of 120 to 150 mm and in the second sub-zone the trickle passages are provided with hydraulic equivalent diameters of 73 to 120 mm.

Abstract: Crude tall oil and water undergo a mass transfer at predetermined temperature and pressure values so as to remove salts from the oil. The flow of the crude oil through a collector disposed beneath an evaporator is maintained at a speed 8 to 80 times less than the trickling speed of the crude oil flowing through the evaporator. Salts are also precipitated from the crude oil by a cooling process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying (deodorizing and/or deacidifying) high-boiling, heat-sensitive organic liquids, the method including passing the impure organic liquid in counter-current flow to a carrier vapor of low molecular weight (steam) while the organic liquid is in the form of thin films falling through a multiplicity of parallel, vertically-oriented tubular flow channels, the inside diameters of the flow channels being between 34 and 72 mm, their lengths being between 6 and 16 meters, a heating medium also being present in association with the flow channels, the flow rates and temperatures of the various fluids being controlled to reduce the consumption of carrier vapor and provide a short thermal stress time for the organic liquid.