GB191415668A - Improvements in the Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Fats or Oils. - Google Patents

Abstract

15,668. Dewar, Sir J., and Liebmann, A. June 30. Catalytic agents, preparation of; hydrogenated fats and oils, catalytic production of.- The hydrogenation of unsaturated fats and oils is effected by hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst distributed over a mass of fibrous and coherent material or yarns or fabrics made therefrom, and arranged so that the fibres will not become separated from one another. With this arrangement, the tedious operation of filtration is avoided. The fibrous material may consist of cotton, hemp, flax, &c., jute, wool, silk, or similar natural organic fibrous materials, or even artificial silk, for instance viscose silk freed from sulphur. Sponge also may be used. Separation of the fibres is prevented by enclosing the masses between screens of gauze or other suitable material, or by securing with wires or threads; or if yarns or fabrics are used, these may be wound round or otherwise secured to the blades of an agitator or to fixed supports. If strongly adherent masses of fibrous materials, such as cotton, silk, or flax, or yarns or fabrics made therefrom, be used, the masses may be left free to move in the liquid, but the product of hydrogenation is not so satisfactory. If nickel, cobalt, or copper is used as the catalyst, the oxide or carbonate of the metal is distributed on the support, and the catalyst produced before or during the process of hydrogenation. In the latter case, it is advantageous to proceed according to the process described in Specification 12,982/13, in the case of the platinum group metals, the additions being effected by impregnating the materials with a platinum or like salt solution and then treating with a hot alkaline solution of formaldehyde. In examples, cotton or linen yarn, or bleached artificial silk yarn freed from sulphur, or asbestos cord is passed through a solution of nickel and copper carbonates, and after squeezing, treated with soda solution, and dried. The material is wound on a nickel-gauze cylinder or on the blades of the agitator, and placed in an autoclave with the oil. In another example, silk yarn on which nickel and copper carbonates were distributed as in the previous examples, is wound on the plates of an agitator, and washed, first with water, then with nickel acetate solution, and finally with water.