A process design to increase the efficiency of batch oil deodorizers

Abstract

Batch deodorization is used for small production capacities e.g. 50 to 100 ton/day of edible oil or, due to its flexibility, in plants where the type of oil to be processed is frequently changed. However, the times required to process a batch are quite long, with high stripping steam consumption per ton of treated oil.A processing alternative that strongly improves the efficiency, is to couple the batch deodorizer to a continuous desorption column: the steam exiting the batch deodorizer is fed to the bottom of the column, while the oil contained in the batch vessel is recycled through the top of the column and then returned to the vessel. An efficient (and practical) mechanical design is in progress to implement this alternative placing a small packed column section inside the batch deodorizer vessel, raising the oil from the bulk batch holdup into the top of the column section by steam lifting.