Abstract: This invention relates to a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a phosphorus modified alumina matrix, the precursor of the molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in an alumina hydrosol commingled with a phosphorus containing compound, the phosphorus to aluminum molar ratio in the molecular sieve being from 1:1 to 1:100.

Abstract: A process for separating a first saturated fatty acid from a second saturated fatty acid contained in a feed mixture comprising the acids, the chain length of the first being at least two carbon atoms greater than that of the second. The process comprises contacting the feed mixture at adsorption conditions comprising a crystalline silica having a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12, thereby selectively adsorbing the first saturated fatty acid. The remainder of the feed mixture is then removed from the adsorbent, and the first acid recovered from the adsorbent by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent liquid soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5.

Abstract: This invention sets forth a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a silica matrix the precursor of said molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in colloidal amorphous silica, said precursor having been gelled and then treated in a manner effecting substantially complete elimination of hydroxyl groups on said molecular sieve along with a method of manufacturing the sieve.

Abstract: A process for separating a fatty acid from an unsaponifiable compound. A feedstream comprising the acid and unsaponifiable compound is contacted with an aqueous alcohol solvent which is selective for and absorbs the fatty acid. An extract stream comprising the fatty acid may then be recovered. The feedstock is best used in a diluent which is preferably a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating oleic acid from a feed mixture comprising an oleic acid and linoleic acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the oleic acid. The oleic acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising a diluent soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5. Displacement occurs at a temperature from about 120.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The feed mixture may also contain rosin acids in which case a first molecular sieve comprising silicalite is used to separate the fatty acids from the rosin acids.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a saturated fatty acid from a feed mixture comprising saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica, thereby selectively retaining the saturated fatty acid. The saturated fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement at displacement conditions with a displacement fluid comprising a diluent soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5. Amorphous silica is a preferred binder for the molecular sieve.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising an ester containing less than six carbon atoms per molecule. Once the rosin acid is removed from the feed mixture, the process is also effective in separating the fatty acids from each other, using the same molecular sieve and displacement fluid.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising an aqueous solution of a ketone from the group comprising acetone, methyl-ethylketone, or di-ethylketone.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a phosphorus modified alumina matrix, the precursor of the molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in an alumina hydrosol commingled with a phosphorus containing compound, the phosphorus to aluminum molar ratio in the molecular sieve being from 1:1 to 1:100. The fatty acid is selectively retained. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material comprising an organic acid.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and an unsaponifiable compound, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica having a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement at displacement conditions with a displacement fluid soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating oleic acid from a feed mixture comprising an oleic acid and linoleic acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the oleic acid. The oleic acid may be recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid. The feed mixture may also contain rosin acids in which case a first molecular sieve comprising silicalite is used to separate the fatty acids from the rosin acids.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite in a silica matrix the precursor of the molecular sieve comprising silicalite powder dispersed in colloidal amorphous silica, the precursor having been gelled and then treated in a manner to substantially eliminate hydroxyl groups from the molecular sieve, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material comprising an organic acid.

Abstract: A process for separating a fatty and/or rosin acid from an unsaponifiable compound. A feedstream comprising the acids and unsaponifiable compound is contacted with an aqueous alcohol solvent which is selective for and absorbs the fatty and/or rosin acid. An extract stream comprising the solvent and acids, and a raffinate stream comprising the unsaponifiable compound may then be recovered. The feedstock is best used in a diluent which is preferably a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid may be recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid. It is preferred that the displacement fluid comprise a liquid having a minimum polarity index.

Abstract: A process for separating a one saturated fatty acid from a mixture of saturated fatty acids, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising a hydrophobic insoluble crosslinked polystyrene polymer, thereby selectively adsorbing the saturated fatty acid for which the adsorbent is selective. Preferably the adsorbed saturated fatty acid will be recovered from the adsorbent by desorption with a desorbent material.

Abstract: A process for separating a monoethanoid fatty acid from a mixture comprising a monoethanoid fatty acid and a diethanoid fatty acid which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising a hydrophobic insoluble cross-linked polystyrene polymer, thereby selectively adsorbing the monoethanoid fatty acid. Preferably the monoethanoid fatty acid will be recovered from the adsorbent by desorption with a desorbent material.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating an ester of a fatty acid from a mixture comprising an ester of a fatty acid and an ester of a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising silicalite, thereby selectively adsorbing the ester of a fatty acid. Preferably the ester of a fatty acid will be recovered from the adsorbent by desorption with a desorbent material.