GB605653A - Method and apparatus for the speedy manufacture of soap - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0605653/III/1> Soap is rapidly produced by transforming a mixture of fatty substances and an aqueous alkaline solution in the cold into a very fine emulsion by mechanical means, stirring being maintained after saponification so as to avoid solidification and to allow the whole reaction to take place in the emulsifying apparatus itself and the soap to be easily discharged therefrom. A suitable plant comprises a jacketed vat 2 with stirrer 7, one or more pumps 1, and a tubular column 8 producing the pressure required for the pumps, the parts being arranged in a closed circuit. The jacket is sub-divided by a partition 4 into a steam jacketed section 5 and a cold water jacketed section 6. In operation, the fatty substances are supplied to the vat and melted therein by admission of steam to the jacket section 5; the alkaline lye is then added in slight excess to that required for saponification of the fatty substances and the stirrer operated; the pump is now started and both pump and stirrer are operated together until the charge thickens. The pump and stirrer are stopped at this stage, and the steam being cut-off from the jacket section 5, cold water is supplied to the jacket section 6. After a short period of rest, the soap mass formed is again pumped and stirred for a few passages around the circuit to complete the saponification, avoid solidification, &c.