Patent ID: 6376689
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: C11B

Abstract:
A process which is effective for providing a decolorized and degummed vegetable oil having less than about 50 ppm phosphorus and less than about 5 ppm chlorophyll-type compounds from vegetable oil, the process comprising:mixing sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and vegetable oil having at least about 1.0 weight percent gum to provide an acidic oil blend, the acids being in amounts effective to precipitate gums and chlorophyll-type compounds present in the oil but not to substantially discolor the oil; removing the precipitated gums and chlorophyll-type compounds from the acidic oil blend to provide an initially degummed vegetable oil; washing the initially degummed vegetable oil with water to raise the pH of the oil to at least about 6 and to remove free fatty acids and remaining gums to provide a purified oil having less than about 50 ppm phosphorus and less than about 5 ppm chlorophyll-type compounds, wherein the initially degummed vegetable oil is degummed without an alkali treatment after mixing the oil with the sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid.