GB696027A - Improved manufacture of odourless soaps from low-grade oils - Google Patents

Abstract

Odourless soap is manufactured continuously from low-grade animal or vegetable oils and fats by treating the fatty acids thereof obtained by the Twitchell splitting process with molten alkali at about 300 DEG C (280 DEG -335 DEG C), in the absence of water, at substantially atmospheric pressure, and in the presence of about 40 per cent of sperm oil. The sperm oil may be replaced by wool grease. The sperm oil or wool grease moderates the violence of the reaction. The reaction depends on the conversion of the bad-smelling unsaturated acids of the low-grade oils and fats, such as fish oil, into saturated fatty acids of lower carbon content. The mixture of fatty acids and sperm oil, at a temperature slightly above the reacting point, and the molten alkali are passed at the same time into the saponifier, where they react at a temperature of about 300 DEG C. The reaction is instantaneous, hydrogen being liberated, and the soap is removed continuously. A water seal maintains a slight pressure in the whole system so as to prevent the entrance of air. An even temperature is maintained with a small fuel oil burner. The process results in a simultaneous saponification and deodorization in one continuous process. Specifications 145,502, 172,250, [both in Class 91], and 696,050 are referred to.