Abstract: A method and system for processing a fermented dairy product, including feeding, in a product feed conduit, fermented dairy product to a separator, separating the fermented dairy product into a heavy phase and a light phase, returning a part of the light phase to the product feed conduit, such that the returned part of the light phase is mixed with fermented dairy product that is fed into the separator, while another part of the light phase is removed from the fermented dairy product, such that the heavy phase forms a concentrated, fermented dairy product.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the treatment of tall oil pitch (TOP), said method comprising heating the TOP and optionally additives including water and steam to a temperature of at least 300° C.; maintaining the temperature in the reactor at 300° C. or higher for a period of time to enable thermal treatment of the TOP to act on components thereof to produce fatty acids and/or rosin acids, and/or derivatives thereof, and/or unsaponifiables and/or derivatives having lower molecular weight compared to the high molecular weight components with molecular weights of at least 350 g/mole present in the original TOP, to yield a modified TOP material with lower viscosity.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for separating tall oil products from a black liquor-containing boiling liquid that has been drained off, was produced within a kraft mill chip digester, and includes a fibrous cellulose material in a mixture with the black liquor and tall oil products, and where the boiling liquid is separated in a separation unit arranged to mechanically separate the boiling liquid into a fibrous cellulose material and a mixture of mixed black liquor and tall oil products, where the mixture of boiling liquid and tall oil products is brought to a separation tank, the separation tank being a gravity separation tank, and adapted to be emptied in a discontinuous manner of the tall oil product collected and concentrated therein, the tall oil products being floated on top of and above a fraction of mixed black liquor, where the tall oil products is brought to a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for purifying tall oil material for the production of biofuels and components thereof. The present invention relates further to hydroprocessing of the purified material to obtain biofuels and components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture of terpene material and tall oil material for the production of biofuels and components thereof. The present invention relates further to hydroprocessing of the purified material to obtain biofuels and components thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are pharmaceutical formulations containing exendins, exendin agonists, or exendin analog agonists that are administered at therapeutic plasma concentration levels over a sustained period of time to lower total cholesterol levels; to lower LDL-cholesterol levels; to lower triglyceride levels; to treat dyslipidemia; to treat and slow the progression of atherosclerosis; and to treat, prevent, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients. In the pharmaceutical formulations and methods of the invention, the exendin may be exendin-4, an exendin-4 agonist, or an exendin-4 analog agonist. The pharmaceutical formulations may be polymer-based pharmaceutical formulations that may be administered once weekly. An exemplary pharmaceutical formulation comprises 5% (w/w) of exenatide, about 2% (w/w) of sucrose, and about 93% (w/w) of a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer, wherein the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer is in the form of microspheres encapsulating the exenatide.

Abstract: The inventive method for processing vegetable raw materials consisting in organic solvent-extracting said materials, isolating it by retention which is associated with cooling and wax filtration, separating free oxides from the thus obtained solution of extractive substances by alkali solution action, dividing the obtained neutralized solution into a neutral substance solution in the hydrocarbon solvent and a water-alkali solution of organic acid salts, acidifying said salt solution, isolating chlorophilline acids and a fatty and resin acid fraction therefrom by retention, dividing the sum of diterpenic and higher fatty acids, distilling the solvent from neutral substances and in dividing said neutral substances. The diterpenic and higher fatty acid sum is treated in a low-molecular alcohol by adding a sulphuric acid in the form of a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing tall oil by reacting tall oil soap with a sodium sesquisulfate solution. The process includes the following steps: a) Determining the concentration of sodium sesquisulfate; b) Reaction between sodium sesquisulfate solution and tall oil soap; e) Separating tall oil and brine phases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering fatty acids, resin acids and sterols from tall oil pitch, said process comprising a) saponifying the tall oil pitch with an alkali to hydrolyse esters included in the pitch to free alcohols and organic acids in salt form, b) acidulating the saponified pitch with a mineral acid to convert the organic acids in salt form into free organic acids and to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase, d) evaporation fractionating the organic phase to obtain a distillate rich in sterols, fatty acids and resin acids, e) evaporation fractionating the distillate to obtain a bottom fraction rich in sterols, and a distillate rich in fatty acids and resin acids, and f) subjecting the sterols in the sterol-rich bottom fraction to crystallization purification.

Abstract: A method for producing crude tall oil from black liquor soap while removing calcium carbonate and lignates is disclosed. Black liquor soap is first combined with an alkaline ash medium having a lower concentration of lignates and inorganic solids than the black liquor soap, to form washed tall oil soap, fortified brine, lignates, and calcium carbonate. The washed tall oil soap is then separated from the fortified brine, lignates, and calcium carbonate, by centrifugation, decantation, filtration, settling, or a combination of these techniques. Acidification of the washed tall oil soap gives crude tall oil and a spent acid mixture. The crude tall oil is separated from the spent acid. The spent acid is made alkaline, and at least a portion of it is returned for use as alkaline wash medium. The method avoids accumulation of calcium sulfate in acidulation units.

Abstract: A method for producing crude tall oil from black liquor soap while removing calcium carbonate and lignates is disclosed. Black liquor soap is first combined with an alkaline ash medium having a lower concentration of lignates and inorganic solids than the black liquor soap, to form washed tall oil soap, fortified brine, lignates, and calcium carbonate. The washed tall oil soap is then separated from the fortified brine, lignates, and calcium carbonate, by centrifugation, decantation, filtration, settling, or a combination of these techniques. Acidification of the washed tall oil soap gives crude tall oil and a spent acid mixture. The crude tall oil is separated from the spent acid. The spent acid is made alkaline, and at least a portion of it is returned for use as alkaline wash medium. The method avoids accumulation of calcium sulfate in acidulation units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of tall oil from soap oil and to the use of heating in order to improve the production of tall oil. Soap oil, which has been produced by neutralization of tall oil soap, is acidulated by reacting the soap oil with an acid and freed tall oil is recovered. In the acidulation step, the temperature is raised above 100° C., preferably over 105° C., for improving the acidulation of soap oil. The acid is preferably concentrated sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for separating sodium bicarbonate brine from crude tall oil or for separating sulfate brine from soap oil, such as in a recovery process in a pulp mill. A water solution having an increased density is added during the neutralization of crude tall oil soap with carbon dioxide or acidulation of soap oil with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances from at least one of crude sulphate soap, crude tall oil or tall oil pitch is disclosed. The process comprises (1) providing a feed of at least one of crude sulphate soap, saponified crude tall oil or saponified tall oil pitch, (2) drying the feed, and (3) subjecting the dried feed to high vacuum evaporation to obtain a product rich in unsaponifiable valuable substances, wherein a softener has been incorporated into the dried feed before step (3) to produce a mixed feed. The softener is characterized by the following properties: 1) the mixed feed's viscosity is lower than the feed's viscosity, 2) the softener's vapor pressure is lower than the unsaponifiables of the feed's vapor pressure, 3) the softener's molecular weight is at least 750, and, optionally, 4) the softener is heat resistant.

Abstract: This method will produce depolymerized lignins substantially free from sodium compounds. Black liquor supplied from a pulping process is utilized for providing a mixture of depolymerized lignins dispersed and dissolved in absolution containing sodium hydroxide. The mixture is then separated to form depolymerized lignins and a solution containing sodium hydroxide. Following separation, the depolymerized lignins are then extracted with water to produce an extractate containing water soluble sodium compounds. The extracted depolymerized lignins, containing sodium compounds, are then reacted with an acid to form sodium salts. The solution containing sodium salts is then separated from the extracted depolymerized lignins to produce substantially sodium free depolymerized lignins. The separated solution containing sodium hydroxide is combined with the extractate and the combination, subsequent to removal of water, is made available to reuse for recycle to depolymerize, disperse and dissolve additional lignins.

Abstract: A method is set forth for separating a sterol or sterol ester from crude tall oil comprising fractionating the crude tall oil into a residue fraction and a volatile fraction, wherein the temperature of the residue fraction does not exceed about 290° C., and wherein the residue fraction includes the sterol or sterol ester. By application of this method, which can be implemented in existing fractionating equipment or in specially designed pitch collecting apparatuses disclosed herein, the yield of sterols can exceed 50% with respect to the sterols present in crude tall oil. A method is also provided for separating unsaponifiable material from a tall oil stream comprising saponifying the stream with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to form sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids, rosin acids, or both; evaporating the unsaponifiable material; and acidulating the unevaporated sodium and potassium salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the cooking step in a tall oil preparation process comprising: a neutralization step in which soap is neutralied to form soap oil, and a cooking step in which soap oil is cooked with sulphuric acid to form tall oil, the soap oil obtained in the neutralization step being subjected to an intermediate treatment before the cooking step, the intermediate treatment comprising heating of the soap oil to release gases dissolved in and bound to the soap oil. The invention also relates to a method for preparing tall oil comprising the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the cleaning of crude tall oil soap. Crude soap floating on top of a layer of black liquor is cleaned with carbon dioxide, in a tall oil recovery system containing a cleaning vessel (T) for crude tall oil soap and black liquor. Said vessel has a carbon dioxide inlet (6) for introducing cleaning carbon dioxide into the soap. The cleaning vessel (T) is also provided with a black liquor separately from the cleaned soap. The cleaned soap may be acidified so as to provide tall oil.

Abstract: A method is set forth for separating a sterol or sterol ester from crude tall oil comprising fractionating the crude tall oil into a residue fraction and a volatile fraction, wherein the temperature of the residue fraction does not exceed about 290.degree. C., and wherein the residue fraction includes the sterol or sterol ester. By application of this method, which can be implemented in existing fractionating equipment or in specially designed pitch collecting apparatuses disclosed herein, the yield of sterols can exceed 50% with respect to the sterols present in crude tall oil. A method is also provided for separating unsaponifiable material from a tall oil stream comprising saponifying the stream with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to form sodium and potassium salts of fatty acid, rosin acids, or both; evaporating the unsaponifiable material; and acidulating the unevaporated sodium and potassium salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the separation of water in a tall oil preparation process which comprises: a neutralization step, in which a mixture of tall oil soap and water is neutralized with carbon dioxide; a water separation step, in which the aqueous phase containing bicarbonate is separated from the tall oil soap; and a cooking step, in which the tall oil soap obtained from the previous step is cooked with sulfuric acid in order to form tall oil, the improvement comprising the fact that, after the neutralization with carbon dioxide but before the water separation step, the pH is adjusted with an acidically reacting substance, such as bisulfite. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of tall oil, the method comprising the steps stated above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the separation of water in a tall oil preparation process which comprises:a neutralization stage in which a mixture of soap and water is neutralized with carbon dioxide,a water separation stage in which the aqueous phase containing bicarbonate is separated from the soap, anda cooking stage in which the soap obtained from the preceding stage is cooked with sulfuric acid to form tall oil, the improvement comprising the procedure that, after the neutralization with carbon dioxide but before the water separation stage, a second neutralization with sulfuric acid is carried out.The invention also relates to a process comprising the stages presented above for the preparation of tall oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of tall oil soap to produce crude tall oil. An aqueous tall oil soap solution generated in a kraft wood-pulping process is placed in contact with carbon dioxide, under pressure, to form crude tall oil and sodium bicarbonate brine. The crude tall oil and sodium bicarbonate brine are then allowed to separate, under pressure, into a crude tall oil layer and a sodium bicarbonate brine layer. The crude tall oil layer is then separated from the sodium bicarbonate brine layer, again under pressure. The separated crude tall oil may then be further refined to yield fatty acids, resin acids, and other constituents, which are useful in numerous industrial applications, such as in soaps, lubricants, inks, adhesives, and coatings.

Abstract: The color and color stability of tall oil fractions are improved and the odor and sulfur content are reduced by treating the heated black liquor soap skimmings prior to acidulation with 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % hydrogen peroxide for at least one minute.

Abstract: A process for producing increased concentrations of valuable neutrals such as sterols and tocopherols from fatty and/or resin acid-containing streams, such as tall oil and vegetable oil distillate, employs liquid water at elevated temperatures and pressures. The neutrals are concentrated by extracting fatty acids as well as resin acids of high purity. Temperature-dependent solubility differences allow for the further separation of resin acids from fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the color and the stability of the color of carboxylic acid or a mixture of the same by treating the carboxylic acid or its mixture with a hydride-yielding substance at an elevated temperature and by distilling the mixture thus obtained. The color and the stability of the color of the distillate thus obtained are better than the corresponding quantities of a distillate of untreated carboxylic acid or an untreated mixture of the same. Sodium borohydride and lithium aluminum hydride are preferred hydride-yielding substances. The method according to the invention can be applied to all carboxylic acids, advantageously to fatty acids and resin acids.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating sterols from a feed mixture, especially one that is acid-free, containing sterols, e.g., tan oil, wool fat, etc., which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising magnesium silicate (Florisil), selectively adsorbing substantially all of the sterols to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the other components and thereafter recovering high purity sterols. The adsorbed sterols are desorbed with methyl-t-butyl ether (MtBE), which is superior, as a desorbent, to previously used aromatic liquids, e.g., toluene and chlorobenzene. An especially suitable acid-free feed is produced from crude tall oil, without the need for pitching, by a liquid-liquid extraction with DMSO and hexane solvents added to the top and bottom of the extraction column, respectively, and feed introduced at an intermediate zone.