GB704298A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for deodorizing oils and fats - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for deodorizing fatty oils and for removing free fatty acids therefrom comprises a vertically elongated shell adapted to be evacuated and having therein a series of superposed trays each having side walls spaced appreciably from the shell wall, means for periodically supplying a batch of oil to the topmost tray, control means adapted to serially advance the oil in each tray, as a batch, to the next lower tray or, in the case of the lowest tray, to an exit conduit, after the oil has been in each of the trays for a predetermined time, and an inlet for a gaseous medium provided in the lower portion of at least some of the trays. In Fig. 2. the shell contains five square trays 1-5, the corners of which are connected to the shell wall by brackets (not shown). Toward the top of each tray are a multiplicity of baffle plates 18, 19, assembled in open squares nested one within another (Fig. 3), to provide a tortuous path for the escape of the vapours from the tray. The baffle plates are inter-connected by angle-pieces 29 (Fig. 4); and the inner plates 18a are secured to the centre piece 30a while the outermost plates 18 are connected to the side walls 37 of the tray by plates 19a. Above the baffle system is a hood 39 carrying a square skirt 40 projecting down to a level below the top edges of the walls <PICT:0704298/III/1> <PICT:0704298/III/2> <PICT:0704298/III/3> 37. A depressed portion 42 is provided at one top corner of each tray, each portion having an aperture for the passage of a pipe for introducing the fatty oil into the tray from the tray above or, in the case of the uppermost tray, from the feed-tank (not shown). Each pipe connecting two trays is provided with a motor-operated valve, e.g. pipe 47 has a valve 46, which operates to retain the oil in each tray for a definite period, e.g. half-hour. The upper four trays are provided with heating coils such as 17, and the lowest tray is provided with a cooling coil 28. The trays are provided with perforated steam-inlet pipes 12-16. The apparatus is evacuated by means of a steam-jet ejector (not shown) attached to the shell through connection F1. The oil is introduced into the top tray through pipe 43, and is withdrawn from the bottom tray through pipe 55. Any condensate which forms in the shell collects in the base thereof, and is drained off through connection 31. The shell may be made of steel, but the trays and baffles are preferably made of nickel or aluminium.