Patent ID: 8361763
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: C11C,C12M,C12P

Abstract:
1. A method for continuous enzymatic treatment of a lipid-containing composition at a substantially constant flow rate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a lipid-containing feedstock, (b) contacting said feedstock with a first processing aid to pre-treat the feedstock to obtain a pre-treated feedstock, (c) causing said pre-treated feedstock to pass at a substantially constant flow rate through a treatment system comprising a plurality of enzyme-containing fixed bed reactors connected to one another in series, wherein the rate of reaction does not decrease substantially as said pre-treated feedstock proceeds through the reactors, and (d) each of said fixed bed reactors being individually serviceable, the flow rate of the feedstock remaining substantially constant through the treatment system when one of said fixed bed reactors is taken off-line for servicing, wherein the processing aid comprises a silica having an average pore size of greater than 150 Angstroms, and less than 10% volatiles by weight, wherein the ratio of silica to enzyme by weight is not greater than 50%.