EP0761807A2 - Strömungsschwingung zum Optimieren des Stickstoffverbrauchs - Google Patents

Strömungsschwingung zum Optimieren des Stickstoffverbrauchs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0761807A2
EP0761807A2 EP96114524A EP96114524A EP0761807A2 EP 0761807 A2 EP0761807 A2 EP 0761807A2 EP 96114524 A EP96114524 A EP 96114524A EP 96114524 A EP96114524 A EP 96114524A EP 0761807 A2 EP0761807 A2 EP 0761807A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inert gas
umbrella
tray
gas
process according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96114524A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0761807A3 (de
EP0761807B1 (de
Inventor
Alan T.Y. Cheng
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Praxair Technology Inc
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Praxair Technology Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0761807A2 publication Critical patent/EP0761807A2/de
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11B—PRODUCING, e.g. BY PRESSING RAW MATERIALS OR BY EXTRACTION FROM WASTE MATERIALS, REFINING OR PRESERVING FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES, e.g. LANOLIN, FATTY OILS OR WAXES; ESSENTIAL OILS; PERFUMES
    • C11B3/00—Refining fats or fatty oils
    • C11B3/12—Refining fats or fatty oils by distillation
    • C11B3/14—Refining fats or fatty oils by distillation with the use of indifferent gases or vapours, e.g. steam

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the use of inert gas as a stripping medium in deodorizing edible oil, and more particularly to reducing the amount of inert gas to less than the theoretical amount required for deodorizing edible oil, while maintaining operation of a deodorizer system.
  • Deodorization is usually the last major processing step in the refining of edible oils. It removes the undesirable ingredients occurring in natural fats and oils and also those imparted by prior unit operations. Commonly, edible oils or fats are subject to either chemical refining, involving degumming, neutralizing, dewaxing, washing and filtrating, or physical refining involving degumming, decoloring and filtering, prior to deodorization. The type of refining involved typically dictates the operating conditions of deodorization.
  • Deodorization involves stripping edible oils to remove, among other things, substances that impart disagreeable odor and taste.
  • the substances removed usually include free fatty acids, various disagreeable odor and taste causing compounds, such as: aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Also removed are compounds formed by the heat decomposition of peroxides and pigments. These substances should be sufficiently removed to impart the desired property to the edible oil.
  • the fatty acids in the edible oils should be substantially reduced, to about 0.1 to about 0.2%, to obtain an edible oil having desired properties.
  • the deodorization process is normally carried out at a high temperature and under high vacuum in the presence of an inert stripping gas. Vapors are formed as a result of stripping the edible oils. These vapors which contain valuable by-products, such as fatty acids and other impurities, may be problematic for waste disposal. As a result, the vapors are usually condensed to produce condensates containing valuable by-products. Like deodorization, condensation is also carried out under high vacuum which can be generated by vacuum boosters and/or ejectors supplied with steam; steam utilized for condensation is referred to as motive steam. However, the vaporized impurities passing through the boosters and ejectors could contaminate the motive steam employed to supply high vacuum. Thus, the motive steam needs to be treated before it is disposed. Consumption of the motive steam in operating the deodorization process can therefore increase costs, unless its consumption can be reduced.
  • Process steam is suitable as a stripping gas because of its high specific volume, low cost and easily condensable and removable characteristics.
  • the amount of process steam theoretically necessary to maximize stripping may be determined by the formula set forth in US Patent 5,241,092.
  • the '092 patent discloses that to maximize stripping, commercial deodorization systems employ about 34 lb to 39.6 lb of process steam per ton of edible oil.
  • process steam may also lead to a reduction in deodorized edible oil product, due to the entrainment and undesirable side reactions, such as thermal decomposition and possibly hydrolysis reaction.
  • An additional problem may arise in the use of process steam from the formation of a condensate containing a low percentage of fatty acid resulting from cooling the vapor formed during steam deodorization. The condensate with low fatty acid content needs to be further treated.
  • umbrella type trays such as those made by Votator, in the stripping section of the deodorization tower, which may be as large as 10 feet wide and 5 feet high.
  • the stripping gas fed to the stripping section must be able to lift the oil through a concentric or gas-lift section of the tray up to the umbrella-shaped top of the tray and may have about a one foot gap between the concentric section and the top of the tray.
  • Some umbrella trays have conservative designs or nominal flow requirements which can be reduced to 50% - 80% and still be sufficient to operate the tray. This reduced flow rate is the minimum amount of inert gas needed to lift the oil to the top of the tray, independent of the theoretical requirement of inert gas for removal of impurities from the edible oil.
  • the present invention comprises a process for reducing the quantity of inert gas required to deodorize crude edible oil in a deodorizer, by supplying an inert gas intermittently to produce edible quality oil.
  • the amount of inert stripping gas required for deodorization is minimized, while still accomplishing both the operation of gas lift umbrella trays in the stripping section of the deodorizer and effective removal of impurities from the edible oil.
  • This invention may be accomplished by supplying an intermittent flow of inert stripping gas to the deodorization/stripping section of a deodorizer.
  • An intermittent supply reduces the amount of inert gas required to simultaneously accomplish removal of impurities from edible oil and operation of gas-lift umbrella-type trays. Because an intermittent flow decreases the amount of inert gas required, per ton of edible oil, there is also a reduction in the amount of motive steam and cooling water employed in deodorization systems which could be operated in a continuous, semi-continuous or batchwise manner.
  • a typical deodorization system has a tower with a number of vertically spaced trays, all or some of which may be supplied with stripping gas. Crude oil, which may be preheated, enters at or near the top of the tower and travels from one tray to another via downcomers. Inert stripping gas is introduced to the tower through conduits fed to the bottom portions of the trays in the deodorization section of the tower.
  • Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which crude oil may be preheated and delivered to a deodorization chamber 3 in the upper portion of a tower 1.
  • Any crude oil material including those which have been subject to at least one of degumming, neutralizing, filtrating, dewaxing, decoloring, bleaching, winterizing, hydrogenating, filtering and deaerating steps or those which have been refined and deodorized but degraded due to the passage of time and/or exposure to oxygen, nevertheless, may be utilized.
  • the level of impurities in the crude oil employed, however, may dictate the operating conditions of the deodorization tower.
  • crude oil Once crude oil is fed to the deodorization chamber, it flows downwardly over a plurality of vertically spaced trays (not shown in Fig.1) in the deodorization tower 1, via a downcomer 10. All or some of the trays may be equipped with stripping gas introduction means and indirect heating means. As crude oil material travels from one tray to another via downcomers 10, an inert stripping gas, which may be preheated by a heater 2, is introduced to the tower 1 through conduit 24.
  • an inert gas Before an inert gas is introduced to the tower 1, it can be monitored by a flow meter 12 and a pressure gauge 8.
  • the amount of inert gas entering the tower is controlled in one construction of the invention, by a needle valve 15, and should be at least a minimum amount necessary to produce a deodorized edible oil product having desired characteristics.
  • the minimum amount of the non-condensable gas may vary depending on the types of edible oil and/or fats involved as shown in Table A of US Patent No. 5,241,092, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the tray When an umbrella-type tray 5 is used in a deodorization section, the tray operates by having oil at a level in the collector 23, of about half the height of the umbrella tray 5.
  • the height, A, of the tray is 4 ft.
  • the level, B, of the oil in the collector is 2 ft.
  • Oil within the outer concentric circle or gas-lift section 21 of the tray 5 is brought into contact with an inert gas which is fed via a pipe 24 into the inner circle section 20 and forced out under pressure through pores in the walls of the inner circle section 20, into the oil in the gas-lift section 21.
  • the pores in the walls of the inner circle section 21, are arranged so that there are larger pores closely spaced at the bottom of the tray, which become smaller and farther spaced as the umbrella portion 22 of the tray is approached. Oil is lifted up through the gas-lift section 21, by the force of the inert gas, to the top of the inner surface of the umbrella portion 22 of the tray from which oil is returned to the static level in the collector 23, in the form of a spray.
  • Running a deodorizer with umbrella-type trays may require a greater amount of inert gas flow to operate than when other type trays are used. This requirement may become the limiting factor for the minimum amount of inert gas flow to deodorize the edible oil. It is no longer simply limited by the amount of inert gas required to remove impurities from the edible oil as this requirement may be considerably less than the inert gas required to physically operate the umbrella tray.
  • To operate a gas-lift umbrella-type tray means that a supply of inert gas to the tray is sufficient to circulate the oil by lifting the oil from the static level up to the umbrella top of the tray.
  • the inert gas flow required to operate the umbrella-type tray may still be the limiting factor for the total amount of inert gas, even when 50%-80% of design flow of inert gas is utilized to operate the umbrella-type tray.
  • the invention minimizes the quantity of inert gas required to deodorize the edible oil, while using umbrella type trays by feeding the inert gas through pipe 24 in an intermittent fashion.
  • a supply of inert gas is turned on for a period of time using a timer 4 and a solenoid valve 6.
  • the timer 4 will send alternating on and off signals to the solenoid valve 6 each at a selected interval.
  • the selected interval for which an inert gas is allowed to flow to a deodorization tray in one pulse ranges in one construction from about 0.5 to about 3600 seconds.
  • the preferred mode is to alternate the on and off signals so that inert gas is supplied to an umbrella-type tray for a duration of about 30 to 60 seconds and supply is suspended for a duration of about 30 to 180 seconds. This sequence is repeated as long as the oil is in the deodorization tray, 30, 31, that is, for the residency period.
  • Power is supplied to the timer 4 and the solenoid valve 6 from a power source 14 and may be controlled by a switch 16.
  • Intermittent flow may be supplied to only one umbrella-type tray in the deodorization section or to two or more trays. In any case, only the flow to the trays in the deodorization section of the deodorizer needs to be supplied in an intermittent manner. All other trays in the deodorizer may be fed with a continuous flow of inert gas.
  • vapors containing, inter alia, a non-condensable stripping gas, fatty acid and other odoriferous substances are formed.
  • the vapors are withdrawn from the deodorization tower 1 through a conduit 19 which is in communication with a vacuum booster system or thermal compressor as shown in Figure 1 of US Patent No.5,241,092.
  • motive steam may be supplied to a pair of vacuum boosters or to a series of pairs of vacuum boosters. These boosters may be used to provide a high vacuum in the deodorization tower which allows the vapors to be removed from the deodorization tower.
  • Motive steam in the vacuum booster reaches a sufficiently high velocity to create a vacuum which entrains vapors from the deodorization column.
  • the vapors and steam from the vacuum boosters may be introduced into a condenser where they are brought into direct contact with a jet of cooling water. Condensate resulting from cooling the vapors in the condenser is recovered and any vapors which are not condensed may be withdrawn from the condenser by means of a steam-jet ejector which is also supplied with motive steam. Motive steam in the steam-ejector reaches an even higher velocity than in the vacuum booster, thus, creating a stronger vacuum condition.
  • the steam-jet ejector or a series of steam-jet ejectors may be used to provide a high vacuum pressure condition in the condenser.
  • the amount of motive steam and cooling water required is dependent on, among other things, the amount of inert gas used in the deodorizer. It is thus preferable to minimize the amount of inert gas passing through valve 15 to reduce motive steam consumption and cooling water consumption in deodorization systems.
  • the system of Fig. 2 utilizes intermittent inert gas flow to two umbrella type trays 30, 31 in the deodorization section 34,36 of the deodorizer.
  • An intermittent timing sequence may be selected with the arrangement in this embodiment to further reduce the amount of inert gas supplied to the deodorizing chamber.
  • Other chambers of the deodorizer with trays 32, 38 and 40 may be supplied with a normal steady flow of inert gas if desired.
  • Inert gas is supplied to the system by pipe 54 which provides inert gas flow to all the chambers of the deodorizer, and which is measured and controlled by flow meters 52, 72, 82, 92, 102, pressure gauges 50, 70, 80, 90, 100, and needle valves 48, 68, 78, 88, 98.
  • the gauges and meters are used for manual operation, but one skilled in the art may well run this system in a completely automated mode.
  • Trays 30 and 31 are supplied with inert gas which may be preheated in heaters 42 and 62.
  • Inert gas flow when supplied intermittently, is introduced via pipes 41 and 61 to trays 30 and 31, and flows to one or the other tray alternately.
  • the two deodorizer trays 30 and 31 are operated in sequence so that the total nitrogen flow rate will remain constant. In this mode, inert gas flow to each tray is controlled separately.
  • the flow rate to tray 31, measured by flow meter 52, and timing controlled by timer 44 and solenoid valve 46 are measured independently from the flow to tray 30, measured by flow meter 72, and timing controlled by timer 64, and solenoid valve 66.
  • the timers 44, 64 and the solenoid valves 46, 66 are supplied with power from a source 58 and are connected to that power source by a switch 56.
  • Table I shows comparative calculations for the deodorizer of Fig. 2, having gas-lift umbrella-type trays.
  • the operating conditions for continuous operation of the deodorizer with gas lift umbrella-typed trays are as follows:
  • Column 1 represents a deodorizer run continuously with inert gas, such as nitrogen as a direct substitute to the nominal quantities required for steam.
  • inert gas such as nitrogen
  • column 2 the deodorizer is run continuously with a minimum amount of inert gas, nitrogen, required to operate the gas-lift umbrella-type trays, (this quantity is 80% of the design flow rate for the umbrella-type deodorizer trays).
  • a minimum amount of inert gas supplied intermittently is shown in column 3.
  • Column 2 shows the deodorization section run at a minimum flow rate to operate the gas-lift umbrella-type trays.
  • the same amount of nitrogen is required in the other trays, but the total flow to the deodorization tray is considerably reduced as compared to column 1.
  • Gas supply to the gas-lift umbrella-type tray is turned down, in column 2, to 80% of the design or nominal flow rate, shown in column 1, required to operate these trays. At this rate, the non-condensable inert gas can be accommodated by the vacuum system.
  • deodorizer tray 2 can potentially be shut off completely as shown in column 2, since nitrogen is a substantially more effective stripping gas than steam.
  • any intermittent mode may be selected for the intervals of on time and off time, as long as the instantaneous flow, is sufficient to lift the oil up through the gas-lift section of the umbrella-type tray and the total amount of inert gas supplied is sufficient to deodorize the oil.
  • the selected timed interval is on for 30 seconds followed by off for 30 seconds.
  • the flow rate is 379 ft 3 /ton as shown in column 2. This is the amount required to operate the tray, calculated as 80% of the design flow rate for this example.
  • the total flow of nitrogen over the residence period of the oil in the deodorization tray is 190 ft 3 /ton as shown in column 3.
  • the total flow rate of nitrogen supplied is 218 ft 3 /ton. This is well within the range of 22 ft 3 /ton to 230 ft 3 /ton inert gas required for deodorization as disclosed in the '092 patent.
  • Table II Deodorizer Sections Nitrogen as a Substitute of Steam to Continuously Operate the Umbrella Gas Lift Tray Minimum Nitrogen to Continuously Operate the Umbrella Gas Lift Tray Minimum Nitrogen Flow with Pulsation Technique Deaerator 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton Preheater 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton Deodor Tray 1 474 ft 3 /ton 379 ft 3 /ton 95 ft 3 /ton Deodor Tray 2 474 ft 3 /ton 0-379 ft 3 /ton 0-95 ft 3 /ton Heat Recovery 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton 7 ft 3 /ton Cooling Tray 7 ft 3 /ton 7
  • Table II shows the preferred embodiment of the invention with the same operating conditions as in table I and thus same entries in columns 1 and 2. But, in this case, column 3 reflects the total amount of flow supplied to the deodorization trays, when the gas supply to each tray is turned on in the pulsing sequence of 60 seconds on followed by 180 seconds off.
  • This sequence is repeated for the duration of the oil in the deodorization trays and may be applied to one tray or to two or more trays.
  • inert gas supply alternates between the trays at a set switch time interval so that both trays are not supplied with inert gas simultaneously, supply to one tray is turned on while supply to the other tray is off.
  • the process may be run as in Table II to achieve the required deodorization of the edible oil.
  • the total requirement of 123-218 ft 3 /ton inert gas flow rate is within the range of actual amount of nitrogen required to remove the impurities from the oil as disclosed in the '092 patent.
  • the present invention using the pulsation technique, allows operation of the umbrella tray even at this considerably reduced flow rate of inert gas.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Edible Oils And Fats (AREA)
  • Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
EP19960114524 1995-09-12 1996-09-11 Strömungsschwingung zum Optimieren des Stickstoffverbrauchs Expired - Lifetime EP0761807B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52717995A 1995-09-12 1995-09-12
US527179 1995-09-12

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0761807A2 true EP0761807A2 (de) 1997-03-12
EP0761807A3 EP0761807A3 (de) 1997-12-03
EP0761807B1 EP0761807B1 (de) 2000-11-02

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EP19960114524 Expired - Lifetime EP0761807B1 (de) 1995-09-12 1996-09-11 Strömungsschwingung zum Optimieren des Stickstoffverbrauchs

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EP (1) EP0761807B1 (de)
BR (1) BR9603726A (de)
DE (1) DE69610806T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2151115T3 (de)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PL72193B2 (de) * 1971-04-22 1974-06-29 Biuro Projektow Prezemyslu Cukrowniczego"Cukroprojekt"Pl
US4665027A (en) * 1983-11-03 1987-05-12 Bio-Process Innovation, Inc. Immobilized cell reactor-separator with simultaneous product separation and methods for design and use thereof
US5241092A (en) * 1991-05-13 1993-08-31 Praxair Technology, Inc. Deodorizing edible oil and/or fat with non-condensible inert gas and recovering a high quality fatty acid distillate

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Publication number Publication date
EP0761807A3 (de) 1997-12-03
ES2151115T3 (es) 2000-12-16
EP0761807B1 (de) 2000-11-02
DE69610806T2 (de) 2001-04-26
BR9603726A (pt) 1998-05-26
DE69610806D1 (de) 2000-12-07

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